‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’

‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’

Marion Police join statewide effort to curb drunk driving this Fourth of July

ralphhardin@gmail.com The police are always on the lookout for drunk drivers. But during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday period, with nationwide projections that close to 50 million travelers will hit the road over the next two weekends seeking Independence Day celebration festivities, the risk of encountering impaired motorists increases exponentially Law enforcement records show a pattern of increased consumption of alcohol by many drivers during the summer holiday period, and with the Fourth occurring in the middle of the week, there are two weekends where folks will be celebrating along with July 4 itself.

Last year stats show 188 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher during the Fourth of July reporting period, a 28 percent increase from 2015.

To address this issue, the Arkansas State Police and local law enforcement agencies will assign additional personnel to saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints beginning June 28 through July 9. This effort is part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign designed to educate, identify and apprehend drunk drivers.

Crittenden County motorists can expect to see an increased police presence.

“We’ll be out in force,” said Sgt. Bobby Morgan with the Marion Police Department. “It’s part of our strategic targeted enforcement. We’ll be looking for drunk drivers, but we’re also stepping up with seatbelt violations, child restraints — we just want everyone to be safe. The Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office will be part of this, too.”

“No matter your age, if you’ve been drinking or may be impaired in any manner, you should find a safe and sober ride to your destination or face the likelihood of being arrested,” said Colonel Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “We will show no tolerance and accept no excuses in our dedication to protect travelers, not only during the holiday, but all year long.” The Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office issued the following guidelines to a safe Fourth of July:

• It’s never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation to get to your destination safely. Plan a safe way home before you leave.

• If you’ve been drinking, call a taxi or someone who is sober to get you home.

• If you see a drunk driver on the road call 911.

• If you know someone who is about to drive or operate a motorcycle or any other vehicle while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.

• Always buckle up. Your seat belt is your best defense

against the drunk

driver.

For more information on the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing. gov or contact the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.

Information about Arkansas' ongoing 'Toward Zero Deaths' campaign to eliminate preventable traffic deaths can be found at www.TZDarkansas.org.

By Ralph Hardin