Eureka Police Enforce Safer Driving

Local law enforcement officers intentionally honed in on impaired or aggressive drivers between Aug. 19 and Sept. 5, and tried to remind motorists to think twice about traffic safety.

officers participated in the "You Drink & Drive. You Lose." statewide program conducted during this period, especially along Interstate 44. Due to the enforcement effort, Eureka officers issued a total of 212 traffic tickets including:

• seven driving while intoxicated;
• 103 speeding tickets;
• 18 no insurance tickets; and
• 84 other violations.  

Three felony arrests also were made as a result of the crackdown.

“When we remove a drunk driver from the roads, we’re all safer,” said Chief Michael Wiegand, in a news release. “Law enforcement will continue to encourage drivers to make a simple, smart choice to drive sober.”

Driving while intoxicated remains one of the top causes of fatal car crashes in Missouri, according to state authorities. Eureka police officials indicate that in 2010, 234 people were killed and 957 seriously injured in crashes involving an impaired driver.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop C officials, which patrol the Eureka area, highlight the following possible consequences of being intoxicated while driving:  jail time; loss of driver licenses; being sentenced to use ignition interlocks; increased insurance rates; attorney fees; court costs; lost time at work; and the potential of losing one’s job or job prospects.

Recent Highway Patrol figures indicate after Interstate 70, I-44 is the second most deadly roadway in Missouri in terms of traffic fatalities. During the past five years, Missouri has recorded the highest number of fatal and serious injury crashes between July and September.