Half Police Car, Half Taxi Cab Warns Against Drunken Driving

Snellville Police unveiled the department’s new “Cop Cab” as a visual reminder for drivers to remain safe during the holiday weekend.

The retired police car, painted as a Snellville, GA police cruiser in the front and a taxi cab in the back, debuted at the Snellville Farmers' Market Saturday to remind motorists to choose their methods of transportation wisely. The project did not use taxpayer funds and was funded entirely by private donations.

Year after year, the Fourth of July is ranked as the most dangerous holiday due to drunken driving crashes. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data spanning from 2008 to 2012, 765 people died in crashes involving drivers with a BAC of .08 or more during the July 4 holiday period. These fatalities account for 40 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities over the same five-year period.

Those who are fortunate enough to avoid an accident can still face serious financial consequences. A DUI can triple your car insurance premium for as long as 5 years. Add to that fines, court costs, and DMV fees and the average DUI ends up costing between $5,000 and $25,000, according to Esurance.

If you find yourself in a potential drunken driving situation, remember the following tips from the NHTSA:

• Plan a safe way home before the fun begins and designate a sober driver before drinking
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a friend or family member, or use public transportation
• Use your community’s sober ride program
• If you see a drunken driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to safely get to where they are going.