ANDERSON, IN - On Thursday, March 6, 2008, Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon announced the City of Anderson's public safety initiative, Operation Pull Over. The 54th blitz of its kind, Operation Pull Over is funded by the generous grants of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) with the purpose of increasing public safety during peak risk seasons. Anderson has received $25,000 to fund the initiative this year.
In 2007 on St. Patrick's Day, 44 percent of the 105 drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes nationwide, had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA).
For many Hoosiers, St. Patrick's Day has become a popular day to celebrate with friends and family. However, given that many people will celebrate this occastion with alcohol, the day can also be very dangerous.
In order to deter impaired driving on Indiana's roadways this St. Patrick's Day, the Governor's Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving is joining with over two hundred state and local law enforcement agencies to launch a statewide high-visibility enforcement from March 7 to March 23. While this 16 day blitz will cover St. Patrick's Day, it will also take place during Big Ten Basketball Tournament in Inianapolis.
"Impaired drivers are a grave threat to the safety of Indiana's roadways. Motorists should be aware that state and local officers will be conducting increased enforcement and will deploy special patrols to detect and arrest impaired drivers," said Curtis Hill, chairman of the Governor's Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving.
In 2006, 23.8 percent of fatal crashes that occured in Indiana from March 1 to May 31 involved drivers with a BAC above the legal limit. This means that out of 214 total fatalities that occured, 51 were caused by an impaired driver.
Also in 2006, from March 1 to May 31, 2.3 percent of all collisions in East Central Indiana involved drivers with a BAC of 0.01 or greater, while 31 percent of fatalities in the ECI region involved drivers with a BAC of 0.01 or greater.
Impaired driving remains one of America's deadliest problems. According to NHISA, in 2006, 42,642 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle crashes. Of that number, 13,740 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a BAC of 0.08 or higher.
"Remember, impairment starts with the first drink. With so many events taking place around Indiana during the month of March, it is important to plan ahead before indulging, because if you are suspected of drunk driving, a fun night out could turn into a nightmare," Hill added.
Safe Holiday Practices:
- Following these easy steps, a driver can enjoy a safe St. Patrick's Day without jeopardizing their life and the lives of others who might be on the road.
- Plan a safe way home BEFORE the festivities begin
- Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys
- If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to contact your local law enforcement or call 911
- And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive or ride with someone who is imparied, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they're going safely.
Source: City of Anderson Press Release
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