Local and state law enforcement will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide May Youth Alcohol Enforcement Crackdown as part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign against substance–impaired driving.
The crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Houston and will run from Thursday (May 3) through Monday, May 14.
Houston Police Department Chief Tim Ceplina said officers will be aggressively looking for substance–impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired.
Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance- impaired drivers or motorcycle operators, Ceplina said. In 2017, 185 people were killed and 592 seriously injured on Missouri’s roadways in crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver.
“That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driver involved fatality every two days,” Ceplina said. “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 chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses.”
Ceplina said being arrested for driving under the influence of any substance brings a wide range of negative consequences into a person’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 their job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.
“Driving while impaired is simply not worth the risk,” Ceplina said, “so don’t take the chance.”
For more information, long onto the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign Headquarters website at www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.