Day: November 24, 2014

The Dover Police Department will be increasing patrols targeting Driving Under the Influence Violations throughout the Holiday season.  During the holiday season (Thanksgiving Eve through New Year’s Day), 2-3 times more people die in alcohol related crashes than any other time of the year.  40% of traffic fatalities during the holiday season involve a driver who is impaired by alcohol.  Drunk driving crashes are most prevalent during the holidays, as more people are on the road after having attended a holiday party where liquor is served.  As a result of a partnership with the Office of Highway Safety, the Dover Police Department will have an additional 38 officers working throughout the holiday season, directly targeting drivers that are under the influence.  These patrols will take place during 19 separate days and times determined to be prime times for drunk drivers to be on the road.   We recommend the following tips to ensure your holiday season and events keep everyone safe:

Be Responsible

Basically this boils down to everything from planning the party menu to assessing how guests will get home safely once the party is over.

What Every Host Needs to Know
• Don’t rely on coffee to sober up your guests. Only time can make someone sober.
• Beer and wine are just as intoxicating as hard liquor. A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler and an ounce and a half of liquor contain the same amount of alcohol.
• Don’t rely on someone’s physical appearance to determine if they’ve had too much to drink.
• Mixers won’t help dilute alcohol. Carbonated mixers like club soda or tonic water cause alcohol to be absorbed into a person’s system more quickly. Fruit juice and other sweet mixers mask the taste of alcohol and may cause people to drink more.

Planning Your Party

• As guests RSVP, confirm that at least one person in each group is prepared to be the non-drinking designated driver.
• Provide plenty of food to keep your guests from drinking on an empty stomach.
• Avoid too many salty snacks, which tend to make people thirsty and drink more.
• Offer non-alcoholic beverages or mock-tails for designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink alcohol. And as the evening progresses, decrease the amount of alcohol poured in drinks and replace with mixers.
• If preparing an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base, like fruit juice. Alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream faster with a carbonated base.
• Be prepared by having the number of a taxi service on hand for those who need a ride. Also, be ready with some clean linens so you can turn your sofa into a hotel for guests who need to sleep it off.

During Your Party

• Never serve alcohol to someone under the legal drinking age, and never ask children to serve alcohol at parties.
• Don’t let guests mix their own drinks. Choosing a reliable “bartender” will help you keep track of the size and number of drinks that guests consume.
• If a guest appears to be drinking a bit much, offer to freshen his or her drink with a virgin version.
• Do not push drinks! Drinking at a party is not mandatory for having a good time.
• Have fun – but not too much fun. To be a good host, you should stay within your limits in order to make sure your guests stay within theirs.
• Close the bar 90 minutes before the party ends.  Remember, only time sobers someone who has been drinking.
• If, despite your efforts, some of your guests have had too much to drink, drive them home, arrange for a ride with another guest who is sober, call a taxi, get a hotel, or invite them to stay over.

The Holiday Season is officially here.  That means more traffic on the roads, increased foot traffic in stores and shopping centers, and an increased potential of traffic accidents and criminal activity occurring.  The Dover Police Department will have increased patrols in all shopping centers, including undercover officers, to help prevent criminal activity from occurring.  The department will also focus on Driving Under the Influence (DUI), speeding, and aggressive driving violations during the holiday season to help ensure the public is safe on our roadways.  The Dover Police Department recommends the following safety tips to help keep you and your family safe this season:

Traditional Shopping:

• Observe the posted speed limits and other traffic laws when traveling.  Buying a gift is not worth a life.
• Enter stores in an orderly fashion during holiday sales to prevent injuries or even death from falls and people being trampled upon.
• Do not leave purchased items visible in your vehicle.  Place them in the trunk or cover them with a blanket or other object.
• When shopping during evening hours, park in a well-lit and heavily traveled area.  Consider shopping with a companion.
• Carry a minimal amount of cash on your person, and carry it in your front pocket if possible.
• Pay for purchases with a check or credit/debit card if possible.
• Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen, or misused.  Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason.  At this time of year, “con-artists” may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
• Stay alert to your surroundings.  If you see any suspicious activity, notify the police or security immediately.
• Do not leave your purse/wallet unattended for any amount of time.
• Avoid overloading yourself with packages.
• Be extra cautious when using ATM’s.  Use machines located in highly populated areas and be aware of your surroundings.
• Try not to use or look at your phone when walking through a parking lot.  There has been an increase in cell phone related robberies across the country.

Online Shopping:

• Look for the https:// – the “s” stands for secure… Also look for a lock or similar icon to indicate you are on a safe site.
• Use anti-virus software and tools on all computers to detect and remove viruses and key-loggers that can steal customers’ identities when using their bank or credit cards online.
• Use anti-phishing software – most reputable anti-virus programs contain anti-phishing software and alerts that help detect phishing scams.
• Secure your wireless network with a password to make sure others cannot access your personal information without your knowledge and permission.
• Choose a password by combining different numbers, letters and symbols. Remember, the longer the password the better. be sure to log off of a web site after completing an online transaction.
• Take action immediately if you suspect identity theft. Contact your credit card company, your bank, all three credit reporting agencies and the police.
  

Released by: Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer