Branson, MO
The first weekend in May, Missouri law enforcement officers will be cracking down on impaired drivers with increased patrols.The Branson West Police Department will be participating in the effort.
Branson West Police Chief Doug Rader said the increase in manpower results in more arrests.
“We want people to know that driving and alcohol don’t mix,” Rader said. “We participate in these efforts periodically throughout the year.”
The “You Drink and Drive, You Lose” effort will be statewide.
Rader said serious consequences can result from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“It’s not worth the risk,” Rader said. “Drivers could lose their license, pay large fines or go to jail and worst of all, cause a tragic loss of life.”
According the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety in 2007, there were 7,780 alcohol-related traffic crashes killing 243 people and injuring 4,889.
Missouri Department of Transportation Traffic Engineer Matt Myers said the message is not just for adults.
“It’s important to talk with young drivers to let them know that the decision they make when getting behind the wheel of a car, even riding in a car with a driver who has been drinking, can have very real and life-changing consequen-ces,” he said.
In 2007, someone was killed or injured every 1.7 hours in an alcohol-related crash.
Of 2007 alcohol-related traffic crashes in Missouri, 36 percent of the fatalities and 43 percent of the injuries occurred to some other party involved in the crash, not the drinking driver or pedestrian.