Law enforcement officials across the U.S. want everyone to have a safe and pleasant holiday season. Citizens can expect to see more officers patrolling streets and highways from the week before Thanksgiving until just after New Year's Day. Local police, sheriff's deputies, and highway patrol officers have banded together for a single cause: to enforce Operation Safe Holiday. Officers are giving extra attention to off-road sites too, such as mall parking lots where thieves may lurk. How can drivers – and pedestrians – participate in Operation Safe Holiday?
What is Operation Safe Holiday?
Every year local and state law enforcement agencies hope for the best and brace for the worst as holiday travelers take to the roads and highways. For too many motorists it will be their last trip. Too many drivers will insist they can drive just fine after a few drinks. Too many road-weary travelers will try to make it just a few more miles in spite of being too sleepy to drive. And still other drivers will bully their way through traffic, speeding and endangering everyone else – even when weather conditions are unfavorable.
Operation Safe Holiday is a united effort by law enforcement agencies all across the U.S. to reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents, injuries and fatalities that occur during the holiday season. The driver safety program begins prior to Thanksgiving and ends after New Year's Day. Along with an increase in manpower patrolling the streets and highways, citizens can expect to see officers monitoring activity in mall and shopping center parking lots.
Alabama's news website, ABC3340.com, gives an example of what drivers can expect during Operation Safe Holiday, in the article, "State Troopers Kick Off "Operation Safe Holiday" (Unnamed reporter, 2010). Interviewed for the report was Col. F.A. Bingham, acting director of the Department of Public Safety. The reporter emphasizes, "State troopers will aggressively enforce traffic laws, exercising zero tolerance for impaired driving and seat belt violations, said Bingham." Bingham is then quoted directly, "We are doing everything we can to prevent traffic deaths, and that means targeting the more than 40 percent of fatalities that involve alcohol and almost 65 percent that are unrestrained."
Buckle Up, Drive Sober and Watch the Speed Limit
It doesn't get any plainer than that. Holiday travelers taking to the highways and back roads had better know the laws before crossing state lines. Law enforcement officers aren't taking any excuses. Every man, woman and child leaving town during the holidays to be with relatives and friends deserves to come home alive and uninjured. The most important laws to remember:
- Buckle Up. Wear your seat belt even if it wrinkles your clothes. Make sure all children are properly belted-in too, including those who need a booster seat. The website, Healthy Children, offers up-to-date information on infant and child booster seat regulations. As each state clearly warns: "Click-it or Ticket".
- Don't Drink and Drive. The holidays are not an excuse for getting wasted. Unfortunately, too many innocent victims will die over the holidays as a result of someone's decision to drive under the influence.
- Watch the Speed Limit. With so many more drivers on the road, traffic will likely be moving more slowly than the speed limit. Allow extra time for travel and stay calm. Watch for children playing in residential neighborhoods.
Operation Safe Holiday Applies to Parking Lots, Too
Vehicle accidents happen frequently in parking lots, but not all mishaps are traffic-related. It's a certainty that thieves will be among the crowds, waiting for the opportune moment to strike unwary shoppers. In a shaky economy where people are still desperate for money (and anything else a thief can get his hands on), expect the number of theft cases to rise sharply.
Popular targets for parking lot crimes:
- Mothers distracted by children.
- The woman who turns her back on her shopping cart – and her purse – while she puts items in the car.
- Elderly people with mobility, vision, hearing and other age-related problems. Also, elderly people that shop alone are easy hits for thieves.
- Any person who's not paying attention to his or her wallet, purse or belongings. This includes all ages – even teenagers. Unplug the music ear-buds and refrain from texting.
- The person who flashes large amounts of cash to see how much he has before venturing into the mall. (Even if you're inside the car with the door locked, make sure no one is around to see what you're doing.)
- Anyone who goes shopping (or other places) and needlessly carries a checkbook, several credit cards, Social Security card, hospital cards (Medicare card, for example), large amounts of cash and anything that a thief would find useful. Take only what's needed for the trip and leave the rest at home.
- The braggart with the loud voice who's telling someone about what he's going to buy.
Parking Lot Safety Tips for Holiday Shoppers
Shopping with a buddy is good advice for elderly shoppers and anyone else who feels vulnerable to crime activity during the holiday season. Be sure to lock vehicle doors and set the alarm. Be leery of someone who approaches you and your vehicle, and claims the car has a leak, a low tire or some other problem.
What else can people do for protection in mall and shopping center parking lots?
- Put packages in the trunk for safe keeping.
- Park as close to the building as possible, especially at night.
- Park in well-lighted areas at night.
- Have keys in hand before leaving the store for the parking lot.
- Look around to see if anyone is near.
- Avoid parking next to a van if possible.
- Persons who use a cane can learn how to use the device as a weapon for protection.
- Avoid putting purses on wheelchair push handles or baskets, or hanging them on other mobility devices.
- Don't give in to the so-called "Good Samaritan" – a stranger who offers to help load packages into your vehicle.
- Keep your vehicle properly maintained to avoid nuisance breakdowns. It really does pay to belong to an auto club that can send help to the scene.
Does Operation Safe Holiday Really Make a Difference?
The sight of more officers on the road is usually enough to keep most drivers from speeding. Don't depend on flashing lights and customized cruisers, however. Law enforcement agencies are using unmarked vehicles such as pickup trucks to help nab violators.
Operation Safe Holiday works, but only if the public participates. Drive defensively this and every holiday season. Do more than just watch out for the other guy:
- Know your route, even if you have a GPS
- Get plenty of rest before leaving on a long trip and take frequent breaks – at least every two hours.
- Keep both eyes on the road.
- Avoid giving in to road rage.
- Avoid talking on a cell phone or texting.
- Keep distractions to a minimum.
- Watch out for pedestrians, bikes and motorcycles.
- Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained for any trip, local or out-of-town.
- Take into account any changes in climate, current weather conditions, road hazards and anything else that could cause mayhem.
Know that traffic laws in each state apply to you. Be a part of Operation Safe Holiday and set an example for young drivers in the family. The best drivers adhere to the laws and follow the road rules regardless of the time of year. Buckle up, watch the speed limit and don't drink and drive. Law enforcement officers want to make sure you stay alive and well so that you can come back next year.
Mary King - Mary King is a Suite101 Topic Editor for the Caregiver Support and Home Management sections. She has authored 5 teen-based novels.
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