CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Carlsbad Police Department is joining forces with other law enforcement agencies throughout the county, including the San Diego Police Department and Chula Vista Police Department, to stop drunk driving this holiday season.  It's part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign going from Dec. 11 through New Year’s Day. The goal is to prevent tragedies that can in an instant change someone’s life forever. In December 2022 alone, 1,062 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “I entered the intersection and three seconds later I got t-boned. I got broadsided by a drunk driver. He was going 50 miles an hour passed out while he was going through that intersection,” DUI crash survivor Bruce Mezan said. Mezan remembers the day his life was turned upside down nearly five years ago, never making it to teach his first motorcycle safety class one early Sunday morning. “Sent me flying and the motorcycle about 25 feet and I landed on the sidewalk on my back and the motorcycle tumbled into the brush,” he said. Miraculously, the crash happened in front of a fire station in Olivenhain, which helped save his life. But his injuries were severe. “I spent two weeks in a coma. I had an airway in my trachea for seven weeks and a feeding tube for seven weeks. I broke my entire rib cage and then of course the greatest loss is the loss of my right leg,” Mezan said. Police throughout San Diego want to prevent others from experiencing that same trauma.   Additional resources are in play as part of those efforts, including more patrols and dui checkpoints.  Lt. Alonso DeVelasco says it's making a difference. “The police department has seen an increase in self-initiated arrests this year from the previous years which is an indicator that our police officers are more active,” DeVelasco said. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Paola Conrique with Mothers Against Drunk Driving says DUIs increase during the holidays. “Every 79 seconds someone is either injured or killed in the United States. Thirty-seven people a day lose their lives because of a drunk driver,” Conrique said. Conrique says people need to celebrate the holidays responsibly and have a plan if you plan to be out drinking.  Working with community partners to spread awareness is crucial. “We work with our local businesses, our bars in regards to them ensuring to not over serve,” DeVelasco said. It's been a long road to recovery for Mezan.  “The medical bills just from the hospital the time of my injury was well over $2 million,” Mezan said. Getting used to his new normal has taken time and patience, but he’s living an active life and working again.  He's moving forward with a new outlook after meeting the man who changed his life.  “We need to start taking care of the people around us because a lot of the drinking and driving stems from social situations,” Mezan said. Police want to remind everyone that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cannabis products and other drugs may also cause impairment. If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, call 9-1-1. They also encourage anyone who plans to attend any sort of holiday celebration where drinking alcohol is involved, to have a plan encouraging have a plan. That can include designating a sober driver or scheduling a ride ahead of time or even staying overnight at the location where the event is taking place. You can find additional information and resources on substance-use prevention and recovery here.