LAPD warns of holiday driving dangers

LOS ANGELES - Police agencies across the country put this message out every single year: please don't drink and drive; don't do drugs and drive; don't drive while you're impaired. 

Unfortunately, every single year we see DUI-related crashes and we see people lose their lives and what could have been prevented. 

LAPD Officer Ryan Bronk with the Valley Traffic Division has seen his share of fatalities.

"We see that there's a they're all preventable. And it's one simple thing that people can do, the community can do is just plan ahead. You know, that there's going to be celebratory events. You know, that there's going to be functions. We want you to enjoy your family and your friends and your loved ones. Just plan ahead. If you plan on consuming alcohol, don't get behind the wheel," he said.

It's as simple as that - plan ahead.

In most cases, people fail to plan ahead. Then they get to the party, they're drinking, and by that time, it's a little bit too late to start planning on what you're going to do.

"You're a little inebriated. Maybe you didn't make the plan. And what we see is that people are just less likely to follow through with those safe practices if they didn't make that plan beforehand," Officer Bronk said.

He also shared more tips to stay safe, especially during this holiday season.

"It's things that we've heard time and time again. You know, if you're a driver, you want to keep that cell phone. If it's too much of a temptation, keep it in the center console if you have to. Most people are able to connect their phones to their cars these days. But it's not just that distraction. It's anything that takes your eyes off the road."

Officer Bronk said it's important to remember it's not only drinking and drugs, it's also prescription drugs. Folks are taking unnecessary medications. And they don't take the effect into account that maybe a sip of wine will counter or have a counter effect without that prescription medication.

"It's important that if you are taking prescription medications, you want to read all the fine print. You want to meet with your doctor, make sure that alcohol is not something that's going to affect the medications you take. And it's just important to make healthy choices and be aware, be informed from your doctor on what you should do when it comes to driving," he said.