The Bucyrus Police Department will be participating with other local law enforcement agencies in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” traffic safety awareness campaign. This is part of a national effort to deter substance-impaired driving. There will be sobriety checkpoints and extra patrol for impaired drivers August 16 through September 2.
The strong enforcement presence reinforces the importance of driving sober and the legal consequences of ignoring that advice. This is a very busy time of the year on the roadways. The Bratwurst Festival is this weekend, August 15, 16 and 17; there is heavy traffic with the last opportunities for summer travel before schools reopen, and the Labor Day Holiday. Unfortunately, substance-impaired driving contributes to a significant amount of traffic crashes and fatalities. Please have safe travels and consider the following tips:
Don’t risk it, if you plan to drive, don’t drink.
Encourage safe driving among your family, friends, and co-workers.
Choose a designated driver, someone who drinks no alcohol at all.
Party hosts should have alcohol-free beverages for designated drivers.
Ask a sober friend to drive you home if you don’t have a designated driver.
Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
Always wear your safety belt; it’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
If drivers choose to ignore the drive sober or get pulled over message there is a good chance they will be stopped and cited. That’s a difficult experience, but much better than being arrested for causing a fatal crash.