CHELMSFORD, MA — The Chelmsford Police Department will participate in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) winter holiday high-visibility enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, from December 1, 2025 through January 1, 2026. Throughout this period, officers will increase patrols and enforcement efforts to prevent impaired driving and protect all road users.
This project is supported by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) grant awarded by the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research.
The winter holiday season remains one of the most dangerous times on America’s roadways due to alcohol-impaired driving. Between December 2019 and December 2023, 4,931 people were killed in crashes involving impaired drivers. In December 2023 alone, 1,038 individuals lost their lives in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, including 697 fatalities where the driver’s blood alcohol concentration measured .15 g/dL or higher — nearly twice the legal limit in most states.
“Not only is driving impaired illegal, but it is also dangerous and never acceptable,” said Deputy Chief Gary Hannagan. “Our officers will be out in full force to identify and remove impaired drivers from the road to ensure our community remains safe. We urge everyone to do their part this holiday season. Drunk driving fatalities are preventable when people make responsible, safety-minded decisions.”
The Chelmsford Police Department reminds residents to plan ahead before attending any holiday gathering where alcohol may be consumed. Drivers should arrange for a designated sober driver, utilize rideshare or taxi services, or plan another safe way home before drinking begins. Alcohol impairs judgment, making safe decision-making less likely once someone has started drinking.
The Chelmsford Police Athletic League (CPAL) is once again partnering with Christopher’s Towing to offer the annual “Tow Drunk to Drive” program.
Now through January 1, anyone who has had too much to drink at a Chelmsford establishment can call Chelmsford Police at (978) 256-2521 or Christopher’s Towing at (978) 452-7433 for a free ride home and a complimentary tow of their vehicle to any location within the Merrimack Valley. The program is available 24/7, no questions will be asked, and vehicles must be operable to qualify for towing.
The program provides a safe, judgment-free alternative to driving under the influence and has helped prevent countless dangerous situations. Community members should not hesitate to contact the Chelmsford Police Department if they observe a suspected impaired driver.
For more information on impaired driving prevention, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
