For more information, contact Bill Whitfield at 573-751-5417, or Kelly Jackson at 573-645-9353.
November 24, 2014 – for immediate release.
Substance-Impaired Driving Can Ruin The Holidays
Law Enforcement Says, “Going Out Tonight? So Are We.”
JEFFERSON CITY, MO –As motorists plan their festive holiday gatherings between Thanksgiving and New Year, the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants to remind them that substance-impaired driving can be a lethal combination. The consequences are fines, jail time or even death.
There were 41 people killed and 242 seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes between December 13, 2013 and January 1, 2014. Four of the fatalities and 32 of the serious injuries involved a substance-impaired driver.
To help make Missouri’s roadways safer, statewide law enforcement is on the lookout for impaired drivers, with targeted enforcement efforts Dec. 12, 2014 to Jan. 1, 2015.
“Heavy traffic coupled with Missouri weather is enough to contend with, without adding alcohol or drugs to the mix,” says Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “Substance-impaired driving will not be tolerated.”
Statewide all law enforcement agencies will be out in full force, and if you choose to drive impaired, you will be arrested.
There are no excuses to drive impaired. Please consider the following tips:
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Don’t risk it – if you plan to drive, don’t consume alcohol or drugs.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Choose a designated driver before partying. A designated driver is someone who consumes NO alcohol or drugs at all.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Take mass transit, a taxicab or ask a friend to drive you home.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Always wear your safety belt – it’s your best defense against an impaired driver in a traffic crash.
To learn more, visit savemolives.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter at Save MO Lives, #DriveSoberMO.
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