Starting today through Jan. 1, local and statewide law enforcement officers will be out in force to spot and stop drunk drivers and to protect citizens from drivers under the influence. Holidays still rank in the highest numbers of “driving while under the influence.”

Local officials kicked off The Holiday 2009 Don't Drink and Drive Campaign Thursday at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Travel Information Center on Interstate 35 which was attended by TxDOT representatives, Texas Department of Public Safety, Gainesville Police Department, Cooke County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies.

Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Trooper IV and Public Information and Education Coordinator Lonny Haschel said, “Last year in 2008 we arrested nearly 1,000 drunk drivers statewide from Christmas to New Years time-frame. It’s a lot of folks. Drunk driving is still a huge problem. We want to make sure that everyone gets to grandma’s house as safely as they can.”

Haschel said he wants to encourage folks to have a great time at those office parties and other get-togethers, but those who drink must hand over their car keys to someone else.

“As soon as you take that first drink the impairment starts,” he continued. “You may think at the end of the night, ‘oh, I haven't had that much I can make it home,’ but the decision right there may cost you your life, it may cost someone else their life. It's not worth it.”

Haschel said, “I had the opportunity to talk to a family recently and this is their first Christmas without their loved one they lost to a drunk driver over the summer.” He said it is also awful for the troopers who have to go out to the scene to see it, and then they have to go to that family to deliver the message that their daughter, mom or dad is not coming home anymore.

Gainesville Police Chief Steve Fleming said that anyone who drinks should decide beforehand who the designated driver will be.

“The time to designate a driver is before the first drink,” Fleming said. People can also call a family member or friend to take them home, he added.

Fleming said the reason for the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign is to make people more aware of the problem and that they need to help solve it. He said the new laws put into effect in September will definitely help the effort.

“Its a cheerful time and people are having a good time with families,” Fleming continued, “and then you get behind that wheel and a lot of people lose their lives.”

“This is the 12th annual TxDOT Holiday Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign in the state, and this is the first year that we’ve hosted it here in Gainesville for the Gainesville and Cooke County area,” said TxDOT Traffic Safety Coordinator Patsy Walls. “This is a statewide campaign,” she continued. “You'll be seeing the billboards and hearing the public service announcements and the decals out on the cooler doors in the convenience stores and the coasters in the restaurants and bars to remind people not to drink and drive.”

Texas Municipal Police Association Project Coordinator Ray Dittrich said the association supports TxDOT and officers on the road across the state, in their mobilizations and in their “drink, drive, go to jail” campaign.

“Not only is it a dangerous time for citizens on the road but officers that are killed by drunk drivers as well at this time of year,” Dittrich said. He said he is happy that the laws have changed regarding drinking while intoxicated and that they will help law enforcement officials to keep the streets safe.

“It’s probably the best year for DWI laws in a long time,” Dittrich said. “Just the ability for officers to do blood draws. The changes in those laws are ten-fold. It gives officers a lot of ability to come in and administer bloods draws . Even if the driver refuses, under certain circumstances the officer can compel them for the blood evidence. It used to be a very narrow scope for those officers, they’ve really broadened that out, so I think you are going to see good changes.”

Dittrich said he thinks the campaign will help to raise awareness. “Media and education can help a lot,” he added.

TxDOT Public Information Officer Adele Lewis said that step-grants will help law enforcement agencies over the next two weeks to provide over-time for their officers.

“Step-grant pays for law enforcement to have their guys to do overtime to help patrol the streets more,” she added. The step-grants come from part of the gas tax for safety projects and safety money.