Police in Missouri to crack down on drunken driving through St. Patrick's Day

People who celebrate St. Patrick's Day by drinking and then get behind the wheel of a car may end up seeing the green drain out of their wallets. More than 160 Missouri law enforcement agencies have joined a national traffic crackdown, which starts today and goes through Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day.

"People who get pulled over always say they've only had two drinks," said Lt. J.R. "Buddy" Davis, patrol division supervisor for the Cape Girardeau Police Department. "They remember the first drink and the last drink."

In Missouri in 2007, 243 people died and 4,889 were injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes, resulting in a death or injury every 1.7 hours, according to statistics provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Nationally, 851 people died over the last five years during the St. Patrick's Day holiday, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The penalties for a first-time drunken driving conviction includes getting eight points on a driving record and a 30-day suspension of driving privileges, with the possibility of an additional 60-day suspension.

A person is considered driving while impaired once the blood-alcohol level reaches 0.08 percent -- which, depending on a person's weight, could be about one to three drinks. Drivers in commercial vehicles are limited to a blood-alcohol level of 0.04 percent. A person convicted of drunken driving while operating a commercial vehicle loses commercial driving privileges for one year.

Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf said getting impaired drivers off the road is part of "a normal course of business" and between now and St. Patrick's Day, "we're going to be watching for them, like we always do."

Having a designated driver who agrees to skip drinking any alcohol is one way to avoid a ticket, Davis said.

Other steps include calling on a taxi, bus or sober family member or friend if you overindulge while out; promptly reporting drunken drivers you see on the road; protecting yourself against inebriated drivers by wearing a seat belt (motorcyclists should wear protective gear); and making arrangements for an impaired friend or family member.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent addresses:

710 S. Kingshighway, Perryville, MO

2675 N. Main St., Sikeston, MO

40 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO

618 Main St., Scott City, MO

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, D.C.

4947 Highway 67 North, Poplar Bluff, MO

2000 Washington Ave., Cairo, IL

4721 Shawnee College Rd, Ullin, IL