HSPD to join in national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign

The Hot Springs Police Department will join other law enforcement agencies in taking part in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign” during the July 4 holiday weekend, beginning Friday and running through July 5.

In support of law enforcement’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, there will be an increased enforcement on the roads with zero tolerance for those who drive impaired, a news release said.

During the 2016 holiday, from

6 p.m. July 2 to 5:59 p.m. July 6,

188 people were killed in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher. This is a 28 percent increase from 2015, when 146 people were killed during the same holiday period.

“It’s essential that our community members understand the safety and financial risks they take when they drink and drive,” the release said. “Under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after you’ve been drinking. Doing so endangers you, and everyone on the road with you.”

Law enforcement agencies and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are urging drivers to designate a sober driver if they plan on drinking during the upcoming holiday.

According to the NHTSA,

37,461 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2016, and

28 percent, or 10,497 of those fatalities occurred in a crash during which the driver had a BAC over the legal limit of .08.

“With Fourth of July festivities wrapping up in the evening or late at night, more cars will be on the roads. Nighttime is especially dangerous: the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes during the 2016 July Fourth holiday period was more than three times higher at night than it was during the day,” the release said.