Press Release
Date: 2/27/2009
Time: 9:00AM
Released by: Bruce E. Howey, Chief of Police
UCMO Department of Public Safety and Warrensburg Police Department Urge Motorists to Drive Responsibly this St. Patrick’s Day
Designate a Sober Driver Before the Party Begins
The University of Central Missouri Department of Public Safety and the Warrensburg Police Department urge the public to help keep the streets safe this St. Patrick’s Day by drinking responsibly and designating a sober driver before heading out on the streets in the Warrensburg community. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that over the past five years, 851 people lost their lives in motor vehicles crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. Out of that number, 327 were killed in crashes that involved a drunk driver or motorcycle rider (operator) with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.
St. Patrick’s Day is supposed to be a time to celebrate Irish heritage and gather with friends, but it can quickly end in tragedy due to impaired driving. If you plan on drinking, don’t rely on luck to keep you safe or to keep you out of trouble. Be responsible and take appropriate precautions.
UCMO DPS Director Bob Ahring and WPD Chief Bruce Howey recommend the following tips:
- Plan a safe way home before your celebrations begin;
- If you plan to get a ride home with someone else, designate a sober driver before any drinking begins;
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;
- Consider using the Night Rider bus
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact the police.
- Remember, if you know someone who is about to drive or ride their motorcycle while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is an extremely risky thing to do according to both Chief Ahring and Chief Howey. If you plan on using alcohol, plan ahead and look out for your friends too. Remember, friends don’t let friends drive drunk.
According to NHTSA research, impaired driving remains one of America’s deadliest problems. In 2007, 41,059 people nationwide were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Out of that number 12,998 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider (operator) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. To learn more, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.