FORT STEWART, GA -- The holidays bring Family and fun together; however, the holiday season brings troubles as well. Nationally, the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's marks the highest point of the year for driving under the influence and alcohol-related crashes.
To counter-act the increasing number of alcohol-related incidents Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield have begun an aggressive campaign to promote driving under the influence awareness and influence Soldiers, Family, and Department of Defense Civilians to alter their behavior and facilitate safe and sensible celebration habits.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving, estimates that each year more than 1,000 people die during Thanksgiving and New Year's in drunk driving crashes due to increased consumption of alcohol at parties and special events.
However, drinking and driving crashes and alcohol-related incidents are one of the most easily prevented catastrophes.
"There are many methods to avoid a DUI and alcohol-related incidents," said Daryl Lusk, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, safety officer.
The Spartan brigade has had more then 30 DUI and alcohol-related incidents since returning from deployment in July. The DUI campaign hopes to reduce these numbers 50 percent by next quarter, said Lusk.
"Best way to prevent a DUI is the buddy system, basically having a designated driver," said Lusk. "Some units on base will have a staff duty taxi money pool, which will pay the taxi service to bring a Soldier safely back to base."
Soldiers ultimately can use their chain-of-command; many non-commissioned officers and platoon leaders will pick up an intoxicated Soldier, regardless of what time of night to bring a Soldier home safely, said Lusk.
While drinking and driving incidents are easily avoidable with prior safe planning, Soldiers need to be aware of not just the catastrophic consequences of drinking and driving but the legal and possible career ending consequences as well.
DUI on the installation:
Aca,!Ac Soldier will receive a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand from the commanding general in accordance with Army Regulation 190-5.
Aca,!Ac Because Federal Magistrates will not adjudicate offenses committed by military members in Federal Court, Soldiers may be given Article 15 for Article 111, uniform code of military justice.
Aca,!Ac Soldier will have on-post driving privileges suspended/revoked for one year.
DUI off the installation
Aca,!Ac Soldier will receive a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand from CG IAW AR 190-5.
Aca,!Ac Soldier will have case adjudicated by civilian court.
Aca,!Ac Soldiers in the grade of private through staff sergeant may also be subject to administrative reduction board for civilian conviction
Aca,!Ac Soldier will have on-post driving privileges suspended/revoked for one year.
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