Drunk driving numbers are down throughout the Washington region.
But as Jessica Forres reports this holiday season...police aren't letting down their guard.



At Fairfax County's police training facility, Officer John Lamper hands me so-called "drunk driving goggles." He says they are meant to simulate driving with a blood alcohol content level of point 17. That's the equivalent of about six beers in under an hour.

YOU ARE GOING TO PUT THE GOGGLES ON AND DRIVE THAT CAR AND I'M GOING TO BE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T RUN OFF THE ROAD HIT ANYTHING.

[IGNITION]

SERPENTINE BETWEEN THE CONES DOWN THERE, CAN YOU SEE THEM
- UH UH, OOPS (THUMP< THUMP)
-JUST KEEP GOING, JUST KEEP GOING.
-I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE A VERY GOOD DRUNK DRIVER.

Law enforcement officials say drunk driving incidents are on the decline. alcohol related fatalities decreased two and a half percent from the year before.

Kurt Ericson is with the Washington Regional Alcohol Program credits an increase in checkpoints and DUI patrols, especially during the holiday season. Every 45 minutes someone is arrested for drunk driving in the Washington region.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News