Intensive Crackdown on Impaired Driving - Police Vow to Arrest Everyone Found Driving Over the Limit
[Greenville, OH] – The Greenville Police Department today announced it will join nearly 10,000 other law enforcement agencies nationwide in support of an intensive crackdown on impaired driving August 19 – September 5, known as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
The problem of impaired driving is a serious one. Data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol shows that the number of OVI-related fatal traffic crashes increased by more than 7% from 2009 to 2010. In 2010 alone, there were 13,032 alcohol-related traffic crashes in Ohio that killed 436 people.
“All too often, innocent, law-abiding people suffer tragic consequences and the loss of loved ones due to this careless disregard for human life. Because we’re committed to ending the carnage, we’re intensifying enforcement during the crackdown. Since twice as many alcohol-impaired accidents occur over the weekend, and four times as many occur at night, we will be especially vigilant during these high-risk times when impaired drivers are most likely to be on our roads,“ said Chief Dennis L. Butts.
Across the country, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter or higher. According to the latest data, nearly a third of fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC above the legal limit – an average of one fatality every 48 minutes.
The crackdown will include law enforcement officers in every state, Washington, D.C., and many U.S. cities and towns.
The Greenville Police Department will be aggressively looking for all impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone they find driving while impaired – regardless of age, vehicle type or time of day.
“Our message is simple and unwavering: if we find you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions,” said Chief Butts. “Even if you beat the odds and manage to walk away from an impaired-driving crash alive, the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can still destroy your life.”
According to the Greenville Police Department, violators often face jail time, loss of their driver’s licenses, and vehicle forfeiture. Financial costs may include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects. When family, friends, and co-workers find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation.
“Driving impaired is simply not worth all the consequences. So don’t take the chance. Remember, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” said Chief Butts.
For more information, visit the High-Visibility Enforcement Campaign Headquarters at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.
Hats off to all Law Enforcement agencies for their participation in this program. I would also like to see a program to cut the number of vehicles operating in Greenville without mufflers. I really had noise.
ReplyDeleteCan they get this going in Versailles? It is the local leader in drinking and driving and not caring one bit about doing it.
ReplyDeleteI suppose you have statistics to prove they are the "local leader" in drinking and driving? Greenville has 5x the population, more bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, and thus more patrons. Although I don't have facts and figures, logic would indicate where you have more people drinking, you have more people drinking and driving.
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