Police on alert for impaired drivers

BENTONVILLE — Local law enforcement agencies will be on the road and on the lookout throughout the Fourth of July holiday participating in campaigns aimed at impaired drivers.

Arkansas State Police and local law enforcement agencies will assign additional personnel to saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, according to the press release from the State Police. The effort is designed to educate, identify and apprehend drunken drivers.

Many local programs run through Thursday.

Law enforcement records show a pattern of increased alcohol consumption by many drivers during the summer holiday period, according to a news release from the State Police.

Statistics from the 2016 Fourth of July reporting period show 188 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08, the legal limit, or higher. This is a 28 percent increase compared with 2015.

“No matter your age, if you’ve been drinking or may be impaired in any manner, you should find a safe and sober ride to your destination or face the likelihood of being arrested,” said Col. Bill Bryant, director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s highway safety representative. “We will show no tolerance and accept no excuses in our dedication to protect travelers, not only during the holiday, but all year long.”

“In support of law enforcement’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see increased enforcement on the roads with zero tolerance for those who drive impaired,” according to a news release from the Springdale Police Department.

Gene Page, spokesman for the Bentonville Police Department, said officers aren’t participating in any specific campaigns this year. Page said the department is just maximizing its staffing for the holiday.

Naconna Mitchell, a spokeswoman for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, said deputies will be conducting sobriety checkpoints for the holiday.

Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder announced earlier this week his deputies will be looking for drunken drivers during the holiday. The Sheriff’s Office is participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign until July 25.

The Rogers Police Department is also participating in the campaign, said Keith Foster, department spokesman.

Foster urged people out celebrating to make sure they plan for a sober way home. He said there will be zero tolerance for those who drive impaired.

The Siloam Springs Police Department will also be participating in the campaign. Capt. Derek Spicer, a spokesman for Siloam Springs police urged people to select a sober driver or do not drive if they plan to drink.

For more information on impaired driving, visit www. trafficsafetymarketing.gov.