Camdenton

 

Sheriff’s deputies will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide St. Patrick’s Day Holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance impaired driving crackdown. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Camden County, will run from March 17-20th.

 

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 St. Patrick’s Day holiday.

 

Deputies from CCSO 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 alcohol. 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. In 2015, 163 people were killed and 575 seriously injured on Missouri’s roadways in crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver.”

–Sergeant Scott Hines, Camden County Sheriff’s Office

 

“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 Camden County’s roadways safer throughout the holiday.”

–Sergeant Scott Hines, Camden County Sheriff’s Office

 

“We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not 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 choose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses.”

–Sergeant Scott Hines, Camden County Sheriff’s Office

 

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. The average DWI costs the offender approximately $10,000. And when family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.

 

 

Sheriff Franklin recommends these simple tips to prevent drunk driving.

 

• Plan a safe way home before the fun begins.
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact law enforcement.
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take your friend’s keys and help your friend make other arrangements to get to where he or she is going safely.

 

 

For more information about the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, visit www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.