ABC Agents will be working during the Holiday Season to Promote Safety

ABC Agents will be working during the Holiday Season to Promote Safety

The Department will be helping to keep roadways safe during the Winter holidays Sacramento -The winter holidays are a time to spend time with family and friends ringing in another year, but also a time when people can make poor choices that put themselves and others at risk on the road.

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced today that agents will be utilizing education, prevention programs and enforcement operations in collaboration with local law enforcement, licensed establishments, and community stakeholders to help make the winter holiday season as safe as possible.

“Too many alcohol- related tragedies occur during the holiday season when people should be experiencing the joy that families, friends and loved ones bring this time of year, ” said ABC Director Jacob Appelsmith.

To help spread the message about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, ABC is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help keep impaired drivers off roads.

During the high-visibility enforcement campaign Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, which runs from Dec. 1 4-Jan. 1, many law enforcement agencies will have more officers on the road conducting saturation patrols looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The California ABC will be doing its part by checking on businesses licensed to sell alcohol and also large community gatherings where alcohol is sold.

“It is critical that licensed establishments pay close attention to ID’s and ensure they are not selling alcohol to minors, ” said Appelsmith. “They can also help boost safety efforts by reminding patrons to designate a non-drinking driver or find an alternative way of getting home safely. Keeping communities safe is a collaborative effort and involves everyone to prevent underage drinking and over consumption of alcohol.”