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Kentucky Groups, Police Urge Sober Driving During the Holidays

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Various Kentucky agencies and businesses are joining forces to keep impaired drivers off the roads this holiday season.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs through New Year’s Day.

State and local police will have beefed-up patrols and set up sobriety checkpoints throughout the holiday season.

Louisville-based spirits and winemaker Brown-Forman is joining the effort by sponsoring ride vouchers with cab companies and local driver services for those who have overindulged.

Rosalind  Donald, of the Kentucky chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said people who plan to consume alcohol at holiday gatherings should make travel plans in advance.

"By the time you’ve had two, or three, or four, you’re not in any position to kind of judge how you’re going to get home safe that night," Donald said. " So the point is, have a friend available, have their number in your phone, or have the number for CityScoot or Yellow Cab already available before the alcohol starts so you know how to get home safe."

Several smart phone apps are available through the Drive Sober Kentucky website to help people find safe transportation.

"That app does have all the numbers for safe rides and a phone a friend or text a friend application to make it easier for individuals to get home safer," Donald said.

The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety said 611 people have died in traffic accidents across the state as of Dec. 15. About 20 percent of the wrecks were alcohol-related.

Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.

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