ABC Agents will be working during the Holiday Season to Promote Safety

Sacramento -The winter holidays are a time to be with family and friends ringing in another year, but also a time when people can make poor choices that put themselves and others at risk on the road.

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced today that agents will be utilizing education, prevention programs and enforcement operations in collaboration with local law enforcement, licensed establishments, and community stakeholders to help make the winter holiday season as safe as possible.

“Too many alcohol-related tragedies occur during the holiday season when people should be experiencing the joy that families, friends and loved ones bring this time of year,” said ABC Director Jacob Appelsmith.

To help spread the message about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, ABC is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help keep impaired drivers off roads.

During the winter holiday season many law enforcement agencies will have more officers on the road conducting saturation patrols looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The California ABC will be doing its part by checking on businesses licensed to sell alcohol and also large community gatherings where alcohol is sold.

“It is critical that licensed establishments pay close attention to ID’s and ensure they are not selling alcohol to minors,” said Appelsmith. “They can also help boost safety efforts by reminding patrons to designate a non-drinking driver or find an alternative way of getting home safely. Keeping communities safe is a collaborative effort and involves everyone to prevent underage drinking and over consumption of alcohol.”

Impaired driving continues to be a huge problem in this country, and more recently, marijuana and drug-impaired driving. People are out and about shopping for the holidays and going to or hosting parties, so it is important that everyone acts responsibly behind the wheel.

To help keep communities safe ABC uses multiple programs to educate licensees about alcoholic beverage laws and enforces alcoholic beverage laws. Many prevention and enforcement efforts are made possible by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Visit https://www.abc.ca.gov to learn more about ABC programs that can increase public safety. ABC protects communities through education and by administering prevention and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws. ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

Contact

Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Public Information Office
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: pio@abc.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 419-2525

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