Officers in Beverly Hills will looking for impaired drivers throughout the holiday season. (photo courtesy of the BHPD)

The Beverly Hills Police Department has launched a holiday driving safety enforcement campaign and is cautioning motorists to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

The holiday season can be dangerous on the roads. In December 2023, 1,038 people were killed in the United States in alcohol-impaired crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Beverly Hills Police Department reminds the public of the dangers of driving impaired and encourages motorists to celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.

From Dec. 12 through Jan. 1, the BHPD will deploy additional officers to look for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The high-visibility enforcement effort is part of a national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, with the goal of stopping drivers who put others at risk.

“We want to make sure everyone gets home safely so that they can celebrate the holiday season with their families and loved ones,” Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook said. “Not only is driving impaired illegal, but it is also dangerous and never acceptable. We are asking everyone to do their part to keep themselves and everyone on the roads safe.”

BHPD encourages members of the public to plan ahead by designating a sober driver, using public transit or calling a taxi or ride-hailing service. Impaired driving is not just caused by alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cannabis and other drugs may also cause impairment. If you see someone driving while impaired, call 911.

Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.