Police in NW Arkansas plan increased patrols for holidays

Law enforcement agencies across Northwest Arkansas will increase their presence on roadways during the holiday season in an effort to reduce drunken driving.

The Arkansas State Police, Fayetteville, Rogers and the Washington County sheriff’s office will participate in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through Jan. 3.

Lowell and Bentonville are not formally participating but will increase patrols, according to officials.

Lt. Paul Pillaro with the Lowell Police Department said it always increases patrols at this time of year. “We’re trying to keep everyone from having bad memories during the holidays,” he said.

Springdale is participating as well, according to Lt. Derek Wright, though dates were not available.

The Benton County sheriff’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Drivers in the region should expect to see increased patrols, roadblocks and social media alerts from police, according to news releases from the state police and the Rogers Police Department.

“Drunk driving is a choice some people make that inevitably gets people hurt or killed,” Col. Bill Bryant, director of the state police, said in a statement.

Penalties for drunken driving include jail time, fines, loss of driver’s license, towing fees and other expenses, according to a news release from Rogers police.

More than 10,000 people die each year in drunken-driving-related accidents, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics. Arkansas in 2014 recorded 135 alcohol-related crashes, according to state police.

In December 2014, about 700 drunken drivers nationally were involved in fatal crashes, with 75 percent of those accidents occurring between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m., according to federal reports.