Starting Wednesday, December 10 through January 1, the Missoula Police Department will be putting extra patrols to reduce holiday drunk driving and the heartbreak that can come with it.

Sergeant Greg Amundsen said the police department is joining a national program to keep drunk drivers off the road.

"We're joining the national campaign, 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,' " Amundsen said. "This year we'll be joining with the Missoula County Sheriff's Department and the Montana Highway Patrol to put out extra patrols to be funded by the MDT through the STEP program."

Amundsen said it's important to make a plan before the holiday party begins to get everyone home safely.

"Make a plan before you go downtown," he said. "Just make sure you have a safe and sober driver to get you all home."

Amundsen said there is a no tolerance policy for impaired drivers this holiday season.

"If you're pulled over you'll be put through what we call the standard field sobriety test to gauge your impairment level," Amundsen said. "If you don't pass, you'll have a breath test and if you are impaired, you will be processed and go to jail. But, there's more to a DUI conviction that just going to jail. Many employers will not hire anyone with a DUI conviction, in addition to the thousands of dollars in court costs, mandatory counseling and vastly increased insurance rates."

Amundsen also reminds drivers never to mix alcohol with other medications and to make sure that every person is buckled in every time.

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