PALMDALE – The City of Palmdale is asking motorists to drive with their headlights on during the day Friday as part of the “Lights on for Life” campaign in honor of those killed or injured by drunk drivers.
“Lights on for Life is a simple way to honor and recognize those who have been killed or injured by drunk drivers,” said Palmdale Community Safety Supervisor Kelly Long. “On Friday, Dec. 16, we’re asking our residents to join the City and the Palmdale Sheriff’s station to help raise awareness of the dangers of drunk driving by driving with your headlights on throughout the day. By doing so, you’ll help take a stand against drunk driving.”
Throughout this holiday season the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station will be out in full force to prevent impaired driving by conducting DUI checkpoints.
“If you drive after drinking or using drugs, you will be caught, arrested and prosecuted,” noted Long. “Not only is this an embarrassing situation, but also expensive. The cost of your defense and potential fines can be thousands of dollars and you can even lose your car, or worse yet, take another person’s life.”
The City is also participating in the “Tie-One-On” campaign which runs until Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. Residents may pick up a red ribbon at Palmdale’s public safety and community relations department at 827 East Avenue Q-9, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and display the ribbon on their car antennas in support of National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month (December).
Red ribbons will be displayed on the 75 City maintenance vehicles and will also be provided to the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station for display on all 72 patrol vehicles.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008, alcohol-related fatalities totaled 11,773, which represents 31.7 percent of all fatal crashes. Those fatalities represent an average of one alcohol-related fatality every 40 minutes. About one in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash sometime in their lives.
For more information, contact the public safety and community relations department at 267-5181.
(Information via press release from the City of Palmdale.)
