“MAKE IT TO THE TABLE”

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Make It to the Table: Don’t Drink and Drive this Thanksgiving Eve

Abingdon, VA Police Department urges consumers to plan a sober ride

Abingdon, VA–  As millions of Americans get on the roads to travel home and spend the Thanksgiving holiday reconnecting with friends and loved ones, the Abingdon, VA Police Department is serving them a reminder: “Make It to the Table: Don’t Drink and Drive this Thanksgiving Eve.”

The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is a cultural phenomenon called “Thanksgiving Eve,” an evening associated with drinking and a big night for bars. From 2012 to 2016, more than 800 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period (6:00 p.m. Wednesday to 5:59 a.m. Monday), making it the deadliest holiday on our roads.

The Abingdon, VA Police Department and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be running a blitz social media campaign, “Make It to the Table: Don’t Drink and Drive this Thanksgiving Eve.” On Nov. 22, the day before Thanksgiving, all of Abingdon, VA Police Department’s social media channels will be exclusively sharing content on the importance of not drinking and driving, and planning ahead for a sober ride home – a true takeover. Social posts, Instagram images, and tweets with hashtags #buzzeddriving and #designateddriver will be available for organizations to participate and help distribute this critical message.

The APD is urging the public and the media to help spread the word, and to take precautions, so everyone can make it to the table this Thanksgiving by:

-Planning ahead and designating a sober driver before the first drink.

-Using public transportation, a taxi, ride share service, or your community’s sober ride program to get home safely.

-If you see a drunk driver on the road, dial 9-1-1.

-Whether riding or driving, always wear your seat belt.

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