DRIVE SOBER THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY, AND EVERY DAY:

BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING

Dexter, MO  - This Independence Day, Dexter Police and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration want to remind drivers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Unfortunately, the summertime merrymaking can create dangerous road conditions, as some drivers hit the streets after drinking alcoholic beverages. Make sure you celebrate the birth of our nation safely. If you are under the influence of any substance and you choose to get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you put everyone in a vehicle on the road in danger, including yourself. During the Fourth of July holiday, make sure you plan for a safe weekend of festivities. 

According to NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, drunk driving accounted for 29% (10,511) of motor vehicle traffic crash deaths in 2018. With Fourth of July festivities wrapping up in the evening or late at night, more vehicles will be on the road at night. In 2018 alone, 193 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the July 4th holiday period (6 p.m. July 3 to 5:59 a.m. July 5). Forty percent (78) of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. This compares to 2017 when 38% of the July 4 holiday period fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. 

“We want our community to have a happy and safe Independence Day, one that they’ll remember for years to come, for all the right reasons,” said Chief Pulley. “We’ve partnered with NHTSA to help remind drivers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Under no circumstance is it ever okay to drink and drive. This behavior is illegal, it’s deadly, and it’s selfish. Do everyone in your community a favor: If you’ve been drinking at a Fourth of July party, or for any occasion, find a sober ride home.” 

“If you are drunk or high, or even a little buzzed, we are begging you: Stay off the roads,” said Chief Pulley. “Drunk driving is deadly. If you plan to be the sober driver, then don’t indulge — your friends are relying on you.” 

Prepare for the Fourth 

This Fourth of July, Dexter Police and NHTSA urge drivers to designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening. If you plan on drinking, plan how you will get around without driving. 

Remember these tips for a safe night on the roads: 

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you have had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. 

• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the Dexter Police Department. 

• Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and decide to get your friend home safely. 

This Fourth of July commit to driving 100-percent sober, because Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. 

Dexter, Missouri - Dexter Police reported 15 citations along with 23 warnings issued during the enforcement period, which ran from June 5th – 14th 2020. 

“Substance-Impaired driving is more than a reckless choice by a few individuals,” Chief Trevor Pulley. “Each year, impaired driving cost the lives of thousands on America’s highways. 

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 Joins National Crackdown To Reduce Drunk Driving Fatalities

‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign Will Target Substance - Impaired Drivers.

Dexter, Missouri– Local and state law enforcement will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide Youth Alcohol Enforcement Crackdown “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance–impaired driving crackdown. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Dexter, will run from June 5th – 14th 2020. 

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 alcohol or other illegal drugs. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving epidemic. 

“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 choose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses,” Chief Pulley said.

“Driving while impaired is simply not worth the risk. So, do not take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’” said Chief Pulley.

The city of Dexter, Missouri received substantial support from the Nestle Purina Bloomfield, MO factory for two major projects.

The Dexter Police department received $10,000 from Nestle Purina to help train a new K9 Officer named Knox who is a 2-year old German Shepard.

The police department lost one of their K9 officers last year and they needed local support to raise the funds to place Knox in the department. Knox and his handler Officer Forkum and the Dexter Chief of Police Trevor Pulley visited the Nestle Purina Bloomfield factory for the donation. Knox performed his favorite task of tracking through a staged search. He found everything he was looking for and even found some special sugar cookies with his name and badge on them. Knox was presented with a gift basket containing Purina ProPlan dog food, Purina Dog treats and several K9 officer friendly toys, dog dishes, leashes, bandanas, blankets and a new bed.

The city of Dexter also received a donation of $10,000 from Nestle Purina to help build an off-leash Dog Park in town. Nestle Purina believes that having a dog park in the community is a great asset and brings people and pets together. Emily Garner, Christa Tucker, Vicky Breece and Nona Robinson from the City of Dexter visited the Bloomfield factory to receive the donation on behalf of the city. The donation made by Nestle Purina will help pay for items in Phase 1 of the project which includes fencing, trash receptacles and cameras. Phase 2 of the project will include play equipment and a building. The City Parks department will be taking care of general Maintenance of the park. Nestle Purina and the rest of the community is looking forward to the grand opening of the park.

Route 25 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane in a moving operation as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform edge rut repairs. 

The section of roadway is located from Business 60 to Route AA.

Weather permitting, work will be performed Monday, Dec. 16 through Friday, Dec. 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

The work zone will be marked with signs.  Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.