Point Pleasant (WV) Register - Local law enforcement ready to crack down on impaired drivers this holiday

Local Law Enforcement ready to Crack Down on Impaired Drivers this Holiday
by Delyssa Huffman
2 hrs 28 mins ago

POINT PLEASANT — While St. Patrick’s Day is a popular night to celebrate with family and friends, it also has become a night tied to danger due to the large numbers of drunk drivers. To address the danger, local law enforcement will be out in force to crack down on impaired driving during the holiday.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008 statistics show that there were 134 crash fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day. Out of that number, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in these fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content of .08 or above. The information came from Michael Witter, Midwest Regional Administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Witter continued to say that driving impaired is not worth the risk.

“Not only do offenders risk killing themselves or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant,” Witter said.

The West Virginia State Police plans to be on patrol as always and commented that they will be on the lookout for impaired drivers. The Mason County Sheriff’s Department and Point Pleasant City Police also will be patrolling the area in search of those who may be driving under the influence.


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