Dexter Police Department 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, Missouri - 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 June 30-July 4, 2017. 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. Not only are alcohol impaired drivers a threat to others, new statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate drugged driving has now surpassed drunk driving in fatal crashes. NHTSA’s research shows in 2015, drugs were present in 43% of the fatally-injured drivers more frequently than alcohol was present.

"Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance - impaired drivers or motorcycle operators," said Chief Stone. "In 2016, 233 people were killed and 700 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.

Chief Stone added the Fourth (4th) of July holiday is particularly dangerous. During the Fourth (4th) of July holiday July 1- 4, 2016, two (2) people were killed and ten (10) 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 Chief Stone.
 
"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," Chief Stone said.
 
Chief Stone 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 Chief Stone.

Missouri - The Missouri State Highway Patrol is warning residents about a person or persons impersonating an officer.

MSHP Corporal Dustin Reed said there has been two similar reports of someone impersonating an officer, and they have an active investigation going.

On June 8 at 9:41 p.m. a 24-year-old woman was driving southbound on U.S. 67 in Jefferson County when an unknown model, dark-colored passenger car began to follow her and activated alternating red and blue flashing lights.

Thinking it was a police officer, the woman stopped on U.S. 67 at Buck Creek Road and the suspect approached her vehicle trying to open the rear door of the car. She described the person as approximately 5’10 in height with a stocky build, wearing a black ski mask, gloves and a dark hoodie.

The woman was able to grab her pistol and point it at the man. The person went back to their own vehicle and when he opened the door the dome light came on and illuminated a person in the front passenger seat as well. The man then drove off north on Buck Creek Road.

Another report was made of a similar incident on June 10 at 4:40 a.m. This time a 19-year-old girl was driving east on Highway 32 in St. Francois County when an unknown model white or silver SUV or passenger vehicle pulled behind her near the intersection of Route B.

The driver of the other vehicle activated alternating red and blue flashing lights and, thinking it was a police officer, the girl stopped on Highway 32 just east of Route B.

The young woman saw the person in the car with the lights approaching her car and he was wearing a black ski mask, red hoodie and possibly gloves, and was holding a large flashlight.

The suspect was described as being about 5’11 tall with a stocky build. She drove off quickly but saw the suspect make a U-turn and head west on Highway 32.

Reed said as of Friday it was an ongoing investigation, and warned if someone does encounter someone they think might not be a real police officer, they should slow their speed, turn on their hazard lights and call 911.

If anyone has any information on either incident, or may know who was involved, they are asked to contact a local police or sheriff's department.