Dexter Police Joins National Fourth (4th) of July Holiday Crackdown
To Reduce Drunk Driving Fatalities
‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign Will Target Substance–Impaired Drivers.
Dexter, MO – Local police will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide Fourth (4th) of July Holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance–impaired driving crackdown. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Dexter, will run from July 1-5, 2016. The effective nationwide substance–impaired driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement, high-profile events, and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb substance–impaired driving over the Fourth (4th) of July Holiday.
Dexter Police said its Officers will be aggressively looking for substance–impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired. Although it is illegal in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive impaired (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving epidemic.
“Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance- impaired drivers or motorcycle operators,” said Lieutenant Benton. “In 2015, 192 people were killed and 644 seriously injured on Missouri’s roadways in crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver.” That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driver involved fatality every 1-3/4 days.
Lieutenant Benton added the Fourth (4th) of July holiday is particularly dangerous. During the Fourth (4th) of July holiday July 3-5, 2015, three (3) people were killed and eight (8) seriously injured involving at least one substance-impaired driver.
“Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign reduces substance–impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make Dexter’s roadways safer for everyone throughout the holiday,” said Lieutenant Benton.
“We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does being under the influence impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive. If you have any doubt about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. If you do chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses,” Lieutenant Benton said.
Lieutenant Benton noted that being arrested for driving under the influence of any substance brings a wide range of negative consequences into one’s life. Substance–impaired drivers face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.
“Driving while impaired is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’” said Lieutenant Benton.
For more information, visit the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign Headquarters at www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov, or www.saveMOlives.com.Dexter Police Releases Results of Click It or Ticket Enforcement
Motorists Reminded to Buckle Up and Arrive Alive
Dexter, Missouri– The Dexter Police Department participated in the national Click
It or Ticket mobilization conducted May 23 – June 5. During the enforcement effort, officers
issued a total of 83 traffic tickets including: 41 seat belt tickets; 13 speeding tickets; and 29 other traffic violations. 2 fugitive arrests were made as a result of the crackdown.
“Seat belts are your single best defense in a crash,” stated Lieutenant Benton. “Law enforcement will continue to encourage drivers to make a simple, smart choice to buckle up and Arrive Alive.”
Six out of 10 people killed in Missouri traffic crashes are unbuckled. Missouri’s seat belt use has remained relatively unchanged in the last six years. Missouri has a 79 percent seat belt use, which is well below the national average of 87 percent. Teens and pick-up truck drivers are among those leastlikely to buckle up at 67 and 63 percent.
Buckle up and Arrive Alive. For more information on Missouri’s seat belt use, visit
www.saveMOlives.com.
Cape Girardeau County - State Highway N between State Highway NN and County Road 253 is currently closed in Cape Girardeau County due to a sinkhole developing on the highway. MODOT has already begun fixing the hole; however it is unknown when the highway will be reopened.
Photo by Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office.
Jackson, Missouri - The Jackson Police Department is trying to locate a missing person, Adrienne Kay Ptacek. She has not been seen since last Friday, June 17 in Jackson, Missouri.
She is driving a 2007 Tan Chevy Malibu with Missouri License Plates AD2F7W. The vehicle has a broken front grill and the left rear bumper is cracked.
If you have seen her or the vehicle, please contact The Jackson Police Department (573) 243-3151 or your local law enforcement authorities.
Dexter, Missouri - Declaring Dexter's participation in the States May/Youth Alcohol Enforcement Crackdown “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance–impaired driving crackdown a major success, Dexter Police reported 1 fugitive was apprehended and 36 citations were made during the enforcement period, which ran from May 5-16, 2016.
“I am proud of our Officers for their hard work and dedication to making our region’s roadways safer,” said Lieutenant Benton. “Substance-Impaired driving is more than a reckless choice by a few individuals,” He said. “Each year, impaired driving cost the lives of thousands on America’s highways. “There were 178 people killed and 605 seriously injured in 2015 Missouri traffic crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver (Alcohol and/or drugs). That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driving involved fatality every two days” A substance-impaired driver less than 21 years of age was involved in 17 of the fatalities and 58 of the serious injuries.
During May 1 – 12, 2015, four (4) people were killed and eighteen (18) seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver (Alcohol and/or drugs). Dexter Police joined forces with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and nearly 10,000 law enforcement agencies across the country in this year’s Youth Alcohol Enforcement “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Dexter Police Department’s Youth Alcohol Enforcement Campaign a Success