(Falls Church, VA, Tuesday, December 22, 2020) – With the arrival of the holiday season, it is important to note that alcohol and driving can be a deadly combination. According to Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles data, 35% of all Virginia traffic fatalities involved alcohol during last year’s Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Checkpoint Strikeforce a research-based, zero tolerance initiative is designed to prevent alcohol impaired traffic fatalities on Virginia roads along with education about the dangers and consequences of driving while intoxicated, especially during the holiday season.

Governor Ralph Northam, has advice for keeping impaired drivers off the road.

SOUNDBITE #1:

2020 HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR ALL VIRGINIANS. BUT AT EVERY STAGE OF THIS PANDEMIC, WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE, AND THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IS NO DIFFERENT. THE BEST ADVICE IS TO NEVER GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A VEHICLE AFTER DRINKING. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE STAYS SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

SOUNDBITE #2:

264 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES IN VIRGINIA AS A RESULT OF ALCOHOL-RELATED TRAFFIC CRASHES IN 2019. AND EVEN WITH REDUCED TRAFFIC AND PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES IN PLACE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ALCOHOL-RELATED DRIVING FATALITIES IN OUR COMMONWEALTH HAVE SURPASSED 2019. PLEASE, IF YOU CHOOSE TO DRINK, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SAFE AND SOBER RIDE. DON’T GET BEHIND THE WHEEL.

To learn more, visit www.actlikeit.org.