NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: Christine Margalis (440) 350-2879
December 5, 2011 LAKE COUNTY GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICT
17th ANNUAL PROTECT & SERVE TAVERN
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10th FROM 11 A.M. - 4 P.M.
AT THE GREAT LAKES MALL
There will be many reasons to be merry this holiday season, and making sure your loved ones enjoy themselves responsibly is one of the most reliable ways to guarantee their safety. That is why The Lake County Crime Prevention Task Force, The Lake County Chiefs of Police Assocation and the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition would like everyone to embrace the spirit of driving sober this season.
To help the public get in the holiday spirit, the 17th Annual Protect & Serve Tavern will take place Saturday, December 10th from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor. Local Police Chiefs and Judges will act as bartenders, serving non-alcoholic drinks and snacks to mall shoppers. Due to the many donations received from local businesses, this event is free. Local Police Departments will invite shoppers to try the “Fatal Vision” goggles, which mimic alcohol impairment and McGruff the Crime Dog will also be making an appearance. Free recipe booklets featuring tasty non-alcoholic beverages created by Lake County Police Departments will also be available.
Sacrificing your life and the life of others by driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle after a few drinks can result in tragedy for you and your loved one. Even if you are lucky enough not to hurt anyone, having your driving privileges taken from you will certainly put a damper on your holiday season. Drunk driving offenders receive plenty of unwanted gifts, including attorney fees, court costs, car repairs, lost time at work and higher insurance rates.
Here are a few simple tips to insure everyone has a fun evening and gets home safe:
- Plan a safe way home before festivities begin;
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
- If you’re impaired, take a taxi or call a sober friend or family member for a ride home;
- If you happen to see an impaired driver on the road call 1-800-GRAB-DUI;
- If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them find arrangements to get where they are going safely.
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