Linn Police will participate in DWI awareness campaign

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Editor
Posted 6/30/21

This Independence Day, the Linn Police Department is participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over impaired driving awareness campaign. In support of the law enforcement community’s …

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Linn Police will participate in DWI awareness campaign

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This Independence Day, the Linn Police Department is participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over impaired driving awareness campaign. In support of the law enforcement community’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see officers working together during this holiday weekend to take drunk drivers off the roads. These expanded efforts to protect against impaired driving will be conducted in a fair and equitable way.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 10,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2019 that involved an alcohol-impaired driver. With Fourth of July festivities wrapping up late in the evening, more cars will be on the roads at night. In 2019, 515 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the July 4th holiday period (6 p.m. July 3 to 5:59 a.m. July 8). Thirty-eight percent (198) of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.
“We want our community to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday but we also want responsible drivers on the roads,” said LPD Chief Michael Bickell. “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.”
From 2015 to 2019, there were 1,339 drivers killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the 4th of July holiday period. Thirty-eight percent (512) of the drivers killed were alcohol-impaired (BAC of .08+).
During the 2019 July 4th holiday period, 69% of those who died in alcohol-impaired crashes were in a crash involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration at or above .15. In 2019, one person was killed every 52 minutes in a drunk-driving crash on our nation’s roads.
Among the 10,142 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2019, 68% (6,872) were in crashes in which at least one driver had a BAC of .15 or higher.
According to the NHTSA, men are more likely than women to be driving drunk when involved in fatal crashes. In 2019, 21% of males were drunk, compared to 14% of females. Of the traffic fatalities in 2019 among children 14 and younger, 19% (204) occurred in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.
In 2019, motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes had higher percentages of alcohol impairment than any other type of motor vehicle driver (29% for motorcycle riders, compared to drivers of passenger cars (20%), light trucks (19%), and large trucks (2%).
Nighttime hours are especially dangerous. Over the 2019 July 4th holiday period, of the 198 people who died in alcohol-impaired motor vehicle traffic crashes, almost 4-of-5 (79%) of them occurred in nighttime crashes (6 p.m.–5:59 a.m.).
THE COST OF DRUNK DRIVING
On average, a DUI can set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, and more.
The financial impact of impaired driving crashes is devastating. Based on 2010 numbers (the most recent year for which cost data is available), impaired-driving crashes cost the United States $44 billion annually.
If you’re caught drinking and driving, you can face jail time, and drinking and driving can cause you to lose your driver’s license and your vehicle. This could inhibit you from getting to work, resulting in lost wages and, potentially, job loss.
CELEBRATE WITH A PLAN
Always remember to plan if you will be celebrating. If you plan to drink, plan ahead for a sober driver to take you home. “If it’s your turn to be the designated driver, take that role seriously and do not consume alcohol, not even one drink,” said Chief Bickell.
Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the Linn Police Department.
If you have a friend who is about to drink and drive, take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
This Fourth of July, commit to only driving when you’re 100% sober. As you head out to celebrate, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
For more information on impaired driving, visit https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/drunk-driving/drivesober-or-get-pulled-over/4th-july.