If you drink and drive on our roadways, you will get caught and the consequences can be devastating. Now through September 4, the Benton Police Department, along with law enforcement officers throughout Arkansas and the nation, are participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
As part of the national ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ enforcement campaign period, officers will be increasing the number of patrols, setting up roadblocks, and using local media to reach out to all drivers. Officers will be aggressively searching for drunk drivers and there will be zero tolerance. If you’re drinking and driving, Benton police will stop you. If you’re caught drinking and driving you could face jail time, fines, loss of driver’s license, towing fees, and other DUI expenses, totaling $10,000 on average.
“The financial cost can be devastating,” said Benton Police Chief Scotty Hodges. “But our focus is ensuring all citizens’ lives are safe on our roadways. If you are intoxicated, whether it is from alcohol or drug use – even many prescription medications, you can devastate other people’s lives in a vehicle accident caused by reckless negligence.”
Every day, 28 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an impaired driver. This is one death every 51 minutes. In 2015, nearly 1.1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
“The safest way to get home is to drive sober or catch a ride with a sober designated driver,” Captain Kevin Russell said. “If you plan on drinking at a party or family gathering or at a restaurant, hand the keys over to someone else – a sober friend, a taxi or public transportation. Or, try NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app, which allows users to call a taxi or a friend by identifying their location so they can be picked up.”
The SaferRide mobile app is available on ITunes for iPhone users and Google Play for Android users.
The BNPD is also calling on everyone to be alert. If you see an intoxicated driver, call 911 immediately. If someone you know is about to drive after drinking or using drugs, take their keys and help them get home safely.
For more information click this link: https://one.nhtsa.gov/drivesober/
