The Huntingburg Police Department wants to put the heat on impaired driving this summer in the community.
Every year, summer travelers hit Indiana’s roads in droves to enjoy barbecues, picnics, lakes and pool parties. Huntingburg police says this also increases impaired driving on the way home from summer festivities.
Every summer more than 230 Indiana police agencies join thousands nationwide for the enforcement of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.This year the Huntingburg Police Department will be performing sobriety checkpoints an patrols all summer long. Police will be working overtime using federal dollars administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
Huntingburg Assistant Police Chief Brad Kramer says Huntingburg officers are trained to spot, and will show zero tolerance for, impaired drivers. Kramer says their highly visible traffic enforcement intends to save lives by removing impaired drivers from city roadways.
Impaired driving includes alcohol and prescription to illegal drugs. In every state, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher. In Indiana, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subjected to fines and a license suspension for up to 1 year.
Over the counter medication may also cause impairment when combined with alcohol or a second drug. If you are taking a new drug or a higher dose, talk with your doctor or do not drive until you know how it affects you.
Huntingburg police say a OWI arrest means going to jail and losing your driver’s license. The average OWI cost is about $10,000 when factoring in-car towing and repairs, attorney fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work and other hefty expenses.
With all of today’s options for getting home safely, Huntingburg Police say there’s no excuse for getting behind the wheel impaired as it endangers you and everyone else around you.
They also want to remind motorist that buzzed driving is drunk driving.
Some sober driving tips include: designating — or be — a sober driver; using public transportation; call a cab or ride-sharing service; download the “SaferRide” mobile app; celebrating at home or a place where you can stay until sober; offer non-alcoholic beverages and plenty of food at parties; never providing alcohol to minors; asking young drivers about their plans; and taking the keys and making alternate arrangements for someone who has been drinking.
Also motorcycles make up about 3 percent of registered vehicles but riders are dramatically overrepresented in fatal crashes involving alcohol. And, police say the more riders drink, the less likely they are to wear their helmets.
Police say impaired driving is three times more common at night.
They say if you see an impaired driver, pull over and dial 911.
