The Benton Police Department is joining the Arkansas State Police and local law enforcement agencies around the state for the "Booze and Belts" traffic safety campaign.  Law enforcement officers will be stepping up enforcement of traffic safety laws looking for impaired drivers, as well as those who are not buckled up, during the Labor Day holiday period Aug. 20 through Sept. 6.

Lt. Kevin Russell said law enforcement officers will be cracking down on motorists who irresponsibly choose to ignore safety belt and impaired driving laws.

In 2008, twenty-nine percent of traffic fatalities in the state were alcohol related and 72 percent of those killed were not wearing a seat belt.   To date in Benton, there have been 191 arrests for driving while intoxicated made by our officers. 

“Too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk drivers and those who fail to use safety belts,” said Lt. Kevin Russell.  No matter what you drive – a passenger car, pickup, SUV or motorcycle – if you are driving impaired, you will be arrested, and if you don't buckle up, you can expect to get a ticket."