The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, and the Department of Communication (DCOMM), are urging motorists not to “Drink and Drive” this holiday season.
The holiday season, spanning from Christmas celebrations through the New Year's 2026 transition, is a time of increased social gatherings where alcohol consumption is common.
From a public health standpoint, this period tragically coincides with a predictable surge in impaired driving incidents, posing a grave risk to everyone on Sint Maarten’s roadways.
Alcohol significantly impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and reduces coordination, making the operation of any vehicle unsafe, regardless of how short the distance is.
We urge all citizens to make a clear, preventative choice now: plan for a designated, sober ride before the first drink is consumed.
This simple decision—to use a taxi, designate a sober driver, or utilize public transport—is the difference between celebrating safely and causing a devastating, preventable accident that forever alters lives.
The ripple effect of drinking and driving extends far beyond the immediate accident, placing immense strain on our emergency medical services, police, and healthcare facilities—resources that are often already stretched during the busy holiday period.
Every injury resulting from an impaired driving collision diverts critical resources, personnel, and time away from other medical emergencies.
Therefore, our collective responsibility is to treat not drinking and driving as a crucial public health measure. By prioritizing safety and responsibility during these festive times, especially during the high-risk New Year’s transition, we protect not only our own families and friends but also the entire community's safety and the capacity of our island’s emergency infrastructure.
The emphasis is on keeping everyone driving on our roads safe this festive season.
The following appeal is part of CPS’s annual Safe Holidays campaign in conjunction with DCOMM.
https://www.sintmaartengov.org/news/Pages/CPS-Remember-Don’t-Drink-Drive-this-Holiday-Season.aspx
