Impaired driving crackdown
Extra officers to be on the lookout during holiday weekend
Published: Saturday, July 04, 2009
Updated: Friday, July 3, 2009 12:08 PM CDT
Updated: Friday, July 3, 2009 12:08 PM CDT
Law enforcement officers throughout the Midwest will be cracking down on impaired driving during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
“In 2007, 34 percent of all drivers involved in traffic-related crashes during the Independence Day holiday period had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, the legal limit in every state,” according to Michael Witter, Midwest Regional Administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Even more troubling is the fact that there was a total of 200 traffic-related fatalities with 44 percent involving a driver or motorcycle rider with BAC of .08 or higher.”
Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest problems. In 2007, 41,059 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Of those, 123,998 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher according to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“That’s why law enforcement throughout the Midwest and around the nation will be out in full force cracking down on drunk drivers during the Fourth of July holiday period with an aggressive ‘Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.’ enforcement blitz,” said Witter. “Too many people still don’t comprehend that alcohol, drugs and driving just don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident — nor is it a victimless crime.”
Alcohol was involved in 41 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents as well.
Witter suggested the following guidelines for enjoying a safe and festive holiday.
• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
• Use your community’s Sober Rides program.
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement.
“Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk,” Witter said. “Getting arrested for impaired driving is not the worst thing that can happen to an impaired driver. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can change your life forever. So remember no matter what you drive — a passenger car, pickup or motorcycle — if you are caught driving impaired, you will be arrested.”
“In 2007, 34 percent of all drivers involved in traffic-related crashes during the Independence Day holiday period had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, the legal limit in every state,” according to Michael Witter, Midwest Regional Administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Even more troubling is the fact that there was a total of 200 traffic-related fatalities with 44 percent involving a driver or motorcycle rider with BAC of .08 or higher.”
Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest problems. In 2007, 41,059 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Of those, 123,998 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher according to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“That’s why law enforcement throughout the Midwest and around the nation will be out in full force cracking down on drunk drivers during the Fourth of July holiday period with an aggressive ‘Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.’ enforcement blitz,” said Witter. “Too many people still don’t comprehend that alcohol, drugs and driving just don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident — nor is it a victimless crime.”
Alcohol was involved in 41 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents as well.
Witter suggested the following guidelines for enjoying a safe and festive holiday.
• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
• Use your community’s Sober Rides program.
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement.
“Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk,” Witter said. “Getting arrested for impaired driving is not the worst thing that can happen to an impaired driver. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can change your life forever. So remember no matter what you drive — a passenger car, pickup or motorcycle — if you are caught driving impaired, you will be arrested.”
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Article Comments (2)The comments below are from readers and do not represent the views of the Daily Journal.
janeqcitizen posted at Saturday, July 4th, 2009 at 10:06 am
myshell_73 My heart goes out to you for your terrible loss. You express MY parents pain when my sister & bro-in-law were killed by a DUI many years ago. No arrest. MO. now has ignition lock law-please speak to DA about this & what evidence THEY need (photos, witnesses, etc.) to require killer to have to install one; possibly his probation can be revoked & he can be jailed-he IS a repeat offender. Have the terms of his probation & current driving record IN YOUR HAND when you do this. Mr. Chuck Lee-probation officer of Bonne Terre IS highly involved in this. Get your OWN attorney if you need help with the DA. You are correct-It is a Criminal Justice System when it needs to be a VICTIM Justice System. Your daughter is SO proud of YOU!
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myshell_73 posted at Saturday, July 4th, 2009 at 2:24 am
I am glad to see law enforcement cracking down on drunk drivers, but the problem is with the judicial system NOT law enforcement! The boy who killed my daughter was so drunk that they said he should have been dead from alcohol poisoning!! and come to find out he had 4 previous DWI's whatever happened to 3 strikes you're out? If the judicial system did their jobs then my daughter would be alive today! He was sentenced to 120 days in a treatment center and released to 5 years probation, We know the boy and guess what...He got out and is drinking and driving again!! I have called the police several times when we had seen him and they NEVER responded!! I just wonder what these judges would do if he killed one of their children during one of his binges? She has been gone almost 2 years now and my heart still aches for her!!! If there are ANY judges reading this...PLEASE,PLEASE THINK OF MY PRECIOUS BABY GIRL THE NEXT TIME A DRUNK DRIVER APPEARS BEFORE YOU!!
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