[1]The Washington Traffic Safety Commission offers downloadable [2], printable designated driver gift cards for the holidays.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Looking for an inexpensive but possibly priceless present to give this year?
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission has designated driver gift cards available, to give to someone you’d rather not see among the 49 (average) collision fatalities between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day in Washington.
Driving under the influence is still the leading cause of death on the roadways and the cards are part of a campaign to reach zero traffic deaths and serious injuries from wrecks by the year 2030, according to the WSTC.
Just go to the WTSC website [3] to print, then clip, fold and fill out the card offering your services as the sober driver on a given night. It’s the gift of a ride home that tells a loved one you’d rather they celebrate the season in style, not in jail or dead.
The Olympia-based organization coordinates traffic safety efforts in various ways, including assisting the Lewis County DUI Traffic Safety Task Force which organizes and supports putting extra law enforcement officers on patrol beginning today in search of intoxicated motorists.
Through Jan. 1, expect to see participants locally such as police departments in Centralia, Chehalis, Morton, Toledo, Winlock and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
The WSTC offers the following advice so members of the public can help as well.
• Call 911 if you see a suspected intoxicated driver on the roads.
• If you drink, smoke marijuana or take other drugs, don’t drive.
• If hosting a party, make a plan with sober designated drivers to get your guests home safely or arrange for them to stay put.
• Talk [4] with your children and make sure they know to call you instead of ever getting into a car with someone who has been drinking.
• For anonymous, confidential assistance by phone, the Washington Recovery Help Line [5] number is 1-866-789-1511.
• For further resources and ideas on keeping family and friends safe during the coming holidays, check the Target Zero [6] website.