(From the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department)
Local deputies will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide August/Labor Day Crackdown weekend "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" substance-impaired driving crackdown. The crack down, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Lawrence County will run from August 18 - September 3, 2017.
The effective nationwide substance-impaired driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement, high-profile events, and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb substance-impaired driving over the August/Labor Day weekend holiday.
The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office said its deputies will be aggressively looking for substance-impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired.
Although it is illegal in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive impaired (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming too much alco0hol. The latest statistics from the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation's continuing drunk driving epidemic.
"Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance-impaired drivers or motorcycle operators," said Sheriff DeLay. "Preliminary data indicates in 2016, 218 people were killed and 664 seriously injured on Missouri's roadways in crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver." That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driver involved fatality every 1 - 3/4 days and one substance-impaired driving serious injury every 1/2 day.
Sheriff DeLay added the August/Labor Day Weekend holiday is particularly dangerous. During the August/Labor Day weekend holiday August 19 - September 5, 2016, 16 people were killed and 34 seriously injured involving at least one substance-impaired driver.
"Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign reduces substance-impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make Lawrence County's roadways safer for everyone through the holiday," said Sheriff DeLay.
"We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, no only does being under the influence impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive. If you have any doubt about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. If you do chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. no warnings. No excuses," Sheriff DeLay said.
Sheriff DeLay noted that being arrested for driving under the influence of any substance brings a wide range of negative consequences into one's life. Substance-impaired drivers face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violator also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.
"Driving while impaired is simply not worth the risk. So don't take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,'" said Sheriff DeLay.
For more information, visit the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Campaign Headquarters at www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov, or www.SaveMOlives.com.
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