The Northland DWI Task Force, which includes the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, is continuing to take part in a nationwide Fourth (4th) of July Holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance-impaired driving crackdown.
The crackdown started June 30th and runs through Independence Day. It includes high-visibility and high-saturation enforcement throughout Platte and Clay counties.
The agencies of the Northland DWI Task Force have joined together and their officers and deputies will be aggressively looking for substance-impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired.
New statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate drugged driving has now surpassed drunk driving in fatal crashes. NHTSA’s research shows in 2015, drugs were present in 43% of the fatally-injured drivers more frequently than alcohol was present.
“Every year, about one-third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance-impaired drivers or motorcycle operators,” said Platte County Mark Owen. “In 2016, 233 people were killed and 700 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 1-3/4 days. Sheriff Owen added that the Fourth (4th) of July Holiday is particularly dangerous. During the Fourth (4th) of July Holiday July 1-4, 2016, two (2) people were killed and ten (10) were seriously injured involving at least one substance-impaired driver.
“Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign reduces substance-impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make the Northland roadways safer for everyone throughout the holiday,” said Chief Thomas Carey, Kearney Police Department.
“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.” Excelsior Springs Police Chief Clinton D. Reno said.
Smithville Police Chief Jason Lockridge noted that being arrested for driving under the influence of any substance brings a wide range of negative consequences into one’s life. Substance-impaired drivers face jail time, loss of their driver’s license, 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. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.'” said Chief Chris Skinrood, Riverside Police Department.