CPD announces July 4 crackdown on drunken drivers

Crestview Police Department officers will be out in full force during the Fourth of July holiday period, cracking down on impaired drivers with an aggressive “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” enforcement blitz.

“Driving while drunk isn’t worth the tremendous risk. Not matter your age, if you’ve had too much holiday spirit, you’d better find a safe and sober ride home or your chances of arrest are high,” said Crestview Police Department Lt. Kent Buckner.

Recent crash statistics underscore the importance of the crackdown. In 2007, 34 percent of all drivers involved in traffic-related crashes during the July 4 holiday period had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, the legal limit in all states.

During the July 4 period in 2007, there were a total of 200 traffic-related fatalities. Of those, 44 percent involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher.

“Too many people still fail to understand that alcohol and driving don’t mix,” Buckner said. Impaired driving is no accident, nor is it a victimless crime. It’s vitally important that we bring this tragic situation to an end,” Buckner said.

Drunken driving is one of America’s deadliest problems. In 2007, 41,059 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Almost 13,000 of those people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher.

Alcohol also plays a role in many motorcycle fatalities. Forty-one percent of the 2,182 motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2007 had BAC levels of .08 or higher. In fatal crashes for 2007 a higher percentage of motorcycle riders had BAC levels of .08 or higher than for any other type of vehicle driver.

“No matter what you drive — a passenger car, pickup or motorycle — if you are caught driving impaired, you will be arrested,” Buckner said. “Don’t let this Fourth of July blow up in your face. Remember. ‘Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.’”