August 18, 2009

National DUI Crackdown Begins Friday

Beach Bars to Support OHS’s Designated Driver Campaign Governor signed into law tougher drunk driving penalties earlier this summer

Dover – Going out drinking this weekend?  Be warned…so are state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies, as they join thousands of their colleagues across the country in a nationwide DUI crackdown, Governor Jack Markell announced today.  The Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. Mobilization begins Friday August 21^st and runs through the Labor Day weekend.  Delaware’s participation is being coordinated by the Office of Highway Safety and will involve increased enforcement in the form of 13 sobriety checkpoints and 72 DUI saturation patrols during that time period as well as increased radio and TV ads reminding people that one more drink could be one too many.

“We want everyone to understand, no matter what you drive— a passenger car, pickup, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle—if you drive impaired, you will be arrested,” said Tricia Roberts, Director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.  One hundred forty two (142) drivers were arrested for DUI during the 2008 impaired driving crackdown.

Of particular concern is the number of DUI offenders being arrested for their 5^th, 6^th, 7^th or greater, DUI offense.  At least six such arrests have taken place in the last month alone.  That’s why Governor Jack Markell signed into law tougher penalties for repeat drunk driving offenders this summer and why he and OHS are releasing a PSA to remind drivers how seriously Delaware law enforcement takes drunk driving.

“So many Delawareans are killed or injured in crashes caused by impaired drivers. These crashes are not only tragic, they’re preventable if people simply made the responsible choice not to drink and drive,” said Markell, who lost a relative to an accident caused by a drunk driver.  “This crackdown sends a loud message today: Delaware will not tolerate drunk drivers on our roads and new penalties should make people think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.”

One of the new laws signed by Governor Markell increases the fines for all DUI offenders but in particular for fifth and subsequent offenders.  The second increases the length of license revocation and use of Ignition Interlock Devices for first time offenders with high BAC levels.

Over the Labor Day weekend, several bars in the town of Dewey Beach are taking their own stand against impaired driving by partnering with the Office of Highway Safety to promote the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers.  Gary’s Dewey Beach Grill, the Starboard, the Bottle & Cork, Northbeach, the Rusty Rudder and Jimmy’s Grille will prominently display and use HERO materials provided by OHS including banners, posters, coasters, table tents and window clings.  Staff will encourage patrons to identify their designated driver, and some establishments will even provide free soft drinks for those individuals.

“I want to applaud these establishments for their obvious concern for public safety and helping us in our mission to stop impaired driving,” said Lewis Schiliro, Secretary for the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.  “Far too many people still don’t understand that alcohol, drugs and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is a choice. It’s no accident.”

During the 2008 Labor Day mobilization there were 12 motor vehicle fatalities.  Half of them were alcohol-related.  Since January 1^st of this year, one quarter of the 67 traffic deaths (17 of them) which have occurred are listed as alcohol-related compared to this time last year when 47% of the 73 deaths (34 of them) were alcohol-related.

Checkpoints during the first weekend of the crackdown will take place in Wilmington, Newark, and Laurel.  Agencies participating in the crackdown include: Bethany Beach Police, Bridgeville Police, Camden Police, Cheswold Police, Clayton Police, Delaware City Police, Delaware State Police, Dewey Beach Police, Dover Police, Elsmere Police, Felton Police, Fenwick Island Police, Georgetown Police, Harrington Police, Laurel Police, Lewes Police, Middletown Police, Milford Police, Millsboro Police, Milton Police, New Castle City Police, New Castle County Police, Newark Police, Newport Police, Ocean View Police, Rehoboth Beach Police, Seaford Police, Selbyville Police, Smyrna Police, South Bethany Police, and Wyoming Police.

For more information on the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. Mobilization visit www.Stopimpaireddriving.org or visit the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) website at www.ghsa.org. 

Delaware’s participation in the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. Mobilization is part of its 2009 Checkpoint Strikeforce efforts and is the final enforcement effort in the OHS’s 120 Days of Summer HEAT campaign.  For more information about Checkpoint Strikeforce and all of OHS’s campaigns visit our website at www.ohs.delaware.gov and follow our updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe.