Cape police will look for DWIs this weekend, St. Patrick's Day

The Cape Girardeau Police Department will be out in force this weekend and Monday -- St. Patrick's Day -- as part of a statewide crackdown on drunken driving, according a police department news release.

The efforts will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Cape Girardeau with officers aggressively looking for drunk drivers; those suspected of drunken driving -- having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher -- will be arrested.

"Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more impaired drivers or motorcycle operators," Wes Blair, Cape Girardeau police chief, said in the release. "In 2012, 230 people died in Missouri crashes involving impaired drivers. That works out to approximately one impaired driving fatality every 1.5 days."

Blair said a drunken-driving arrest may result in jail time, loss of a driver's license, higher insurance rates, attorney's fees, court costs, lost time at work or job loss.

"We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel drunk is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does drinking 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," Blair said.

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