Lawton, OK — The Lawton Police Department (LPD) is hopeful that impaired driving incidents will see a significant decline after New Year’s Eve, as part of a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing fatal accidents during the holiday season.
While the exact number of impaired drivers pulled over on New Year’s Eve has not yet been confirmed, Lieutenant Charlie Whittington of LPD expressed optimism based on initial reports. He believes that the numbers will be “significantly lower” than in previous years.
“We don’t have the numbers just yet for the last few nights, but as we move into 2025, I believe the trend will be positive,” Lt. Whittington said. “I’m hopeful. The early signs are encouraging.”
A major factor behind this optimism is the community’s involvement in spreading the message of safe driving. Lt. Whittington credited local citizens for the success of recent social media campaigns. LPD’s posts on platforms such as Facebook, warning against impaired driving, were viewed over 2,000 times and shared more than 100 times. This widespread engagement helped amplify the message and raised awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence.
“It’s a community effort,” Lt. Whittington stated. “When the community gets involved in spreading these messages, it makes a huge difference. We are incredibly grateful for the cooperation from the people of Lawton and the surrounding areas.”
The success of the department’s social media outreach is seen as a key step toward ensuring safer roads during the busy holiday season. Lt. Whittington expressed his gratitude, thanking the public for taking the time to share the posts and heed the safety warnings.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to share those posts and pay attention to the warnings,” Lt. Whittington added. “It’s encouraging to see that the community is taking responsibility and making the effort to keep our roads safer as we head into 2025.”
The Lawton Police Department’s efforts are expected to continue as part of the ongoing campaign to prevent DUI-related incidents and promote responsible driving throughout the year.
