DWI's on the rise in Jefferson County

Hillsboro, MO

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office will be taking part in a statewide campaign to aggressively curtail impaired drivers from Aug. 15 to Sept. 1.

The campaign, "You Drink and Drive. You Lose," will involve increased law enforcement efforts to reduce the deaths and serious injuries caused by drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

"Driving while intoxicated is one of the most common violent crimes, randomly killing or injuring someone in Missouri every one and a half hours," said Sheriff Oliver "Glenn" Boyer. "These tragedies are preventable when drivers make a simple, smart choice not to drink and drive."According to a sheriff's report, Jefferson County deputies arrested 733 drivers for DWI in 2007, an increase of 7.7 percent from 2006.

Boyer said a DWI can come with some stiff consequences, especially if it involves the injury or death of another person.

"If you cause a fatal crash while intoxicated, you can be charged with involuntary manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years of jail time, a $5,000 fine, or both," he said.

First-time offenders could lose their license for 90 days, pay a $500 fine and/or spend up to six months in jail, Boyer said. A second conviction could net offenders a year-long license revocation, a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail.

Minors caught drinking and driving also could face minor in possession charges, which could net a 90-day suspension of their driver's license for the first offense in addition to any other suspension from a points assessment.

"Insurance coverage will be difficult to find and your rates will be significantly higher," Boyer said.

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