SPECIAL DWI & SPEEDING ENFORCEMENT CRACKDOWN SET FOR JULY 4th TRAVEL PERIOD

The summer travel season is already underway and many Arkansans are preparing to be on the road during the Fourth of July holiday.  Unfortunately these celebrations can take a tragic turn when a person decides to drive a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or ignore the posted speed limit.

  In order to promote safer travel, the area law enforcement agencies will join forces in a special crackdown targeting drunk driving and speeding violations through July 14th.

  “The Fourth of July has proven to be one of the deadliest holidays on Arkansas highways and we are committed to doing what we can to keep people safe,” said Capt Eddie Adamson of the St Francis County Sheriff’s Department . “We want everyone to not be impaired by alcohol or drugs when they drive and obey the posted speed limit.  That’s why we’re focusing on the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ and ‘Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine’ campaigns during this holiday period.”

  Law enforcement agencies across the state will increase sobriety checkpoints and speeding patrols as part of the enforcement operation which began June 28th.  Officers are prepared to arrest drunk drivers and ticket speeders to ensure roadways are safer.

“I have spoken with area law enforcement agencies and we are all going to be working together to keep our area safe for everyone on the roads,” commented Capt Adamson who oversees the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program for the Sheriff’s Department.

  “Safety is our primary concern, and we hope everyone has a great summer and holiday, but we are asking everyone to drive responsibly,” added Adamson

  There were 552 traffic fatalities on Arkansas roadways during 2012.  Twenty-six percent, or 143 of those fatalities involved a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.  Speeding was a contributing factor in 76 of the total fatalities or almost 14 percent.

  The Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office recommends that everyone buckle up and drivers should always obey the posted speed limit.  Anyone who plans to consume alcohol should designate a sober driver before traveling.   Calling a friend or taxi for transportation after consuming alcohol is another safe way to avoid an arrest or worse, being involved in a deadly crash.

  The law enforcement crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds through the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office and runs concurrently with a media campaign that will remind motorists, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine.”

For more information on the campaigns, visit www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov or contact the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136. For more on Arkansas’ ongoing Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, visit www.TZDarkansas.org.