Local and state police are increasing patrols to help curb impaired driving this holiday season.
The Johnson County Law Enforcement Coalition — made up of various county police agencies — will be increasing patrols from now until Jan. 1, according to a Johnson County Law Enforcement Coalition news release.
Officers will be on high alert for anyone driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and will also be watching for seat belt violations and other forms of dangerous driving. The police presence is expected to help keep dangerous drivers off the road and keep people safe, Sheriff Duane Burgess said in the news release.
Statistics show there is an increased potential for drunk driving during the holidays, and this crackdown is part of a statewide effort to stop impaired driving. Every year, more than 10,000 people die in drunk-driving crashes in the United States — approximately one person every 52 minutes, the news release says.
Driving under the influence is more prevalent around certain holidays, and Christmas and New Year’s are among the deadliest. Last December, 73 people died in fatal collisions in Indiana. Of those, 11 involved a drunk driver, according to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, or ICJI.
Officers will work overtime to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. In addition to alcohol and drugs, certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can also affect a person’s ability to drive safely, the news release says.
“This effort is a reminder about the dangers of impaired driving, but it also serves as a warning. If you choose to drive impaired on drugs or alcohol, you will be arrested,” Burgess said.
Police are asking for the public’s help to keep roads safe by designating a sober driver or using a ride share service, public transportation or taxi if alcohol is consumed. Motorists are encouraged to wear a seat belt, slow down, put down their phones and make sure kids are properly buckled up, according to the news release.
The high-visibility patrols are funded by a grant the ICJI received from the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the news release says.
Drivers can report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911 or the respective law enforcement agency.
