Statewide Impaired Driving Crackdown Planned; Teen Seatbelt Campaign Enforces State Law

JEFFERSON CITY --If you're planning a special celebration for St. Patrick's Day, think first about a safe and sober ride home. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety reminds motorists to "Choose Your Ride." with special campaign messaging to designate a driver, call a cab, or the options can include a ride in a patrol car, or even worse -- a hearse.

More than 200 Missouri law enforcement agencies will take part in a special impaired driving crackdown that puts additional officers on the road March 14-17. If you choose to drive impaired over the St. Patrick's Day holiday, your luck will run out.

"Statewide, law enforcement made 247 DWI arrests during a similar campaign in March 2014," says Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Ron Replogle. "Officers are committed to removing impaired drivers from our roads."

Throughout March, safety advertising in restaurants and bars across Missouri serve as reminders of the importance of choosing a completely sober ride, such as a taxi. However, the alternative options of a patrol car or a hearse are sobering reminders of the consequences of choosing the wrong ride.

Drinking and driving is a lethal combination. A person who causes a fatal crash while intoxicated, can be charged with involuntary manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years of prison time, a $5000 fine, or both.

Additionally with warm weather will be here soon and teens will be hitting the road to enjoy spring break, prom, and other great springtime activities.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants teens to think about how dangerous a car ride can be if they don't buckle up. An element of this year's teen seat belt campaign reminds teens that their safety is to be taken very seriously -- "Buckle Up. It's No Joke."

"Only 67 percent of Missouri's teens buckle up," said Replogle. "To combat this low rate law enforcement will be out in full force March 15-31 to crack down on unbelted drivers and save lives."

Teens are most likely to follow parental example. Parents who buckle up on a regular basis have kids that make the same safe choice. Under Missouri's Graduated Driver License Law, permit drivers and all passengers must wear safety belts.

Nearly seven out of 10 vehicle occupants killed in Missouri traffic crashes in the past three years were unbuckled. When evaluating teen vehicle occupants, nearly eight out of 10 were unbuckled.