Police to Search for Impaired Drivers Dec. 5-12

Enforcement efforts by local police officers will increase Dec. 5-12, and will focus on reducing deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired drivers, announced Chief Michael Wiegand.

"Losing a loved one during the holiday season is a tragedy no one should have to endure," stated Wiegand in a news release. "Impaired driving is a preventable crime, and we intend to crack down so drivers feel secure when traveling on Missouri's roadways."

Wiegand encourages drivers to consider some of the following consequences if they are caught driving while intoxicated:

• For the first conviction (or first conviction in over five years), your license will be suspended for 30 days followed by a 60-day suspension if a hardship license is not obtained.
• A second conviction results in a $1,000 fine, a yearlong revocation of your license and up to a year in jail. You also will be required to install an ignition interlock system on your vehicle, preventing your car from starting when you have alcohol on your breath.
• Third and subsequent convictions can be penalized with up to a $5,000 fine, a 10-year license denial, and/or up to seven years in jail.
• If you cause a fatal crash while intoxicated, you could be charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years of jail time, a $5,000 fine or both.

In 2010, Wiegand stated that 240 people were killed and 962 seriously injured in crashes involving an impaired driver in Missouri. To learn more about impaired driving, click here.

Officers for the also will be on the lookout for signs of impaired drivers. Specially trained officers will be checking motorists in an effort to reduce the number of intoxicated drivers on our streets and highways, stated Rick Eckhard, St. Louis County Police media relations officer. Inconvenience to motorists will be minimal, he said.

"Removing intoxicated drivers from our roadways is a high priority for the St. Louis County Police," stated St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch in a news release. "The use of checkpoints has been proven to be an effective method to accomplish this goal."

Officers also will issue citations for seat belt and other violations, Eckhard said.