Police Department campaigns for 'Drive Sober or get Pulled Over'

The El Dorado Police Department is once again cautioning motorists to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

It is the second such campaign in which law enforcement officers across the country have engaged within the past several weeks and is part of a string of mobilizations that have targeted impaired driving and seat belt enforcement.

The last “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign was scheduled around Independence Day, during which many holiday festivities involve alcohol.

This time, law enforcement officers are gearing up for Labor Day weekend, which marks the unofficial end off summer and often means celebrations that involve alcohol and increased travel.

The latest “Drive Sober” mobilization got under way Aug. 15 and will continue until Labor Day, Sept. 3.

EPD Lt. Kenny Hickman said local officers are joining other law enforcement agencies in the U.S. to stop “one of the deadliest and most often committee — yet preventable — crimes” by dedicating patrols to target DWIs.

El Dorado police recently responded to a traffic accident in which alcohol was a contributing factor and several people required medical attention, Hickman said.

However, DWI arrests have declined within the past year in El Dorado — an encouraging trend that Hickman attributes to, in part, the diligence

of EPD officers and a partnership with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The NHTSA provides grants to help state and local law enforcement agencies concentrate on specific target areas.

Hickman also said a local taxi service — El Dorado Taxi — and ride-sharing services, such as Uber, are increasingly being used in El Dorado.

“These developments, coupled with pre-arranged designated drivers make a significant difference,” he said, adding, “What we would like to say to our citizens and guests is keep

it up!”

According to statistics provided by the NHTSA, 37,461 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2016.

Twenty-eight percent (10,497) of those crashes involved drivers whose blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level was past the legal limit of .08 percent.

“Despite the arrest numbers being lower

than in the past, the need for dedicated enforcement remains,” Hickman said. “There will be no tolerance for those drinking and driving. We remain committed to detecting those (drivers) who would place others in danger.”