The numbers are shocking:

In 2018, one person died every 50 minutes in a drunk-driving crash in America.

These deaths account for a third of all traffic deaths each year. 10,511 deaths occurred in 2018 alone.

The holiday season is a wonderful time for gathering with families and friends. It can also be a deadly time for Lexington County residents, as many will make the tragic decision to drink and drive.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s department will join other state and local law enforcement agencies out in high-visibility enforcement, pulling over and arresting drunk drivers.

The decision to not drink and drive should never be a tough one. Drunk driving is illegal and can be deadly — to the driver, to his or her passengers, and to other road users.

It is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. Drunk drivers will be arrested — no excuses.

Alcohol consumption lowers inhibitions, causing you to make bad decisions you would not otherwise make. Do not trust yourself to make good decisions once you begin drinking.

If you are planning to drink, plan ahead for a sober ride home. Even one drink is one too many if you are driving.

Remember these tips for a safe night on the roads:

1. It is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.

2. If available, use your ride sharing program such as Lyft or Uber.

3. If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911.

4. Do you have a friend who is about to drive after drinking? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

Drunk driving is 100% preventable. Don’t put yourself and others at risk.