The Mountain Home Police Department has announced it is participating in the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” impaired driving awareness campaign for the Fourth of July holiday. Mountain Home police officers will be working together with other agencies to take drunk drivers off the road over the long weekend.
The impaired driving awareness campaign began Wednesday and ends on Monday.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration, in 2019 a total of 10,142 were killed in motor vehicle crashes that involved an alcohol-impaired driver. In 2019, a total of 515 died in motor vehicle traffic crashes over between the evening of July 3 and the morning of July 8. Thirty-eight percent of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.
Sgt. Bryan Corbett of the Mountain Home Police Department says, “We want our community to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday, but we also want responsible drivers on the roads. We repeat this message constantly, but it is still a critical issue: Drunk driving is deadly and illegal. Remember, if you are caught drinking and driving, we will pull you over and you will likely be arrested. Driving under the influence of any substance will land you a DUI.”
The Mountain Home Police Department urges drivers to designate a sober driver before heading out for the day. If you plan on drinking, then plan on not driving. Those consuming alcohol should designate a sober driver or make other plans to get home safely. Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take their keys away and make arrangements for your friend to get home safely. If you see a drunk driver out on the road, call 911 or local law enforcement.
Corbett says, “Sadly, many people think driving impaired is no big deal. We’ve seen it all and can spot a drunk driver on the road. A DUI will follow you throughout your life, so this is a gamble that’s just not worth taking. Under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after you’ve been drinking. Doing so endangers you, your passengers and everyone on the road with you.”
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