Nixa Police are tying red ribbons to their patrol cars this month as a reminder to not drive drunk.

The complete Facebook Post is below:

When in Nixa this month, you may notice Nixa Police have red ribbons tied onto our patrol vehicles. However, the red ribbons are not a symbol of holiday cheer, but rather, they are intended as a reminder not to drink and drive. It’s a symbol of our participation in Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s (MADD) “Tie One On for Safety” designated driver campaign.

Now in its 35th year, Tie One On for Safety originates from the phrase “tie one on,” which is slang for drinking alcohol. MADD uses the phrase to remind everyone that drinking and driving don’t mix and to always designate a non-drinking driver. MADD provides the red ribbons to participating law enforcement agencies.

This message is especially important as we approach holiday travel, parties and family gatherings which put more people on the roads. Please help us create a nation of No More Victims by always taking personal responsibility for getting yourself and your loved ones home safely.

The NHTSA reports that drunk driving causes more than 10,000 deaths every year, about 1/3rd of all traffic-related deaths.

If you drink and drive in Nixa, we are determined to stop you and get you off the road before you cause a deadly accident. So far in 2021, Nixa Police have had a record year for DWI enforcement, with 167 DWI charges filed in the first 11 months of the year. This amounts to the most drunk drivers we have ever caught in a single year.

Remember:
- Driving tipsy is driving drunk.
- Put safety before the party. Plan ahead and always designate a non-drinking driver.
- Choose to be the non-drinking designated driver.
- Host parties that include non-alcoholic beverages and provide alternate transportation or accommodations for guests who choose to drink.

Together, we can put an end to this 100% preventable crime and make this holiday season safer for our loved ones on the roadways.