Arkansas state troopers will be joined by Miller County law enforcement officers in the coming days in a unified effort to remove impaired drivers from local streets and roads as well as state and U.S. highways.
The special enforcement operation begins Friday and continues through New Year's Day.
"Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" is a national campaign organized by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Participating law enforcement agencies will have no tolerance for drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
According to NHTSA, 10,874 people were killed in drunken-driving crashes during 2017, which equates to one person killed every 48 minutes. On average, 10,000 people were killed in drunken-driving crashes each year from 2013 to 2017. During December 2017, 885 people lost their lives across the country in traffic crashes involving a drunken driver.
"Impaired driving is not acceptable behavior," said Col. Bill Bryant, director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor's Highway Safety representative. "Drivers should remember it's up to them to make the smart decision to drive sober, not just during the holidays but every time they're behind the wheel."
Bryant said impaired driving is a growing problem.
"In addition to drivers impaired by alcohol, we're also seeing an increase in drivers who are under the influence of drugs."
"We understand that during the holidays, people are running around, busily checking off items on their to-do list and attending parties," Miller County Sheriff Jackie Runion said. "We need our community members to slow down and remember: It's up to them to make the smart decision to drive sober-during the holidays and all year long. Drunk driving is a huge problem in our country, and unfortunately we're seeing a rise in marijuana use and drugged driving, too. Stay safe and stay sober on the roads."
The ASP recommends the following:
- If you plan on drinking, do not drive. Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before you get in the vehicle. Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for drunken driving, or worse, risk injury or death to someone by causing a crash.
- If you have been drinking, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation to get to your destination safely.
- Download NHTSA's SaferRide mobile app, available on Google Play for Android devices and Apple's iTunes Store for iOS devices. SaferRide allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend and identifies the user's location so he or she can be picked up.
- Promptly report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
- Always wear your seat belt or use safety equipment while on a motorcycle. These items are your best defense against an impaired driver.
For more information on the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, visit trafficsafetymarketing.gov or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136. For information on Arkansas' "Toward Zero Deaths" campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, visit TZDarkansas.org.