The Vernon County Sheriff's Office Participated in the 2021/2022 Holiday Season Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign
Vernon County Missouri - The Sheriff's Office partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2021 holiday season Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over drunk-driving enforcement campaign. From December 17, 2021, through January 1, 2022, local law enforcement showed zero tolerance for impaired driving, arresting multiple offenders for multiple other charges, including 6 drug arrests and 2 felony arrests. Enforcement efforts during the campaign resulted in 19 total violations and 52 warnings given for violations, 71 total violations observed by Deputies.
The VCSO ramped up its usual enforcement efforts, adding additional units to the road. "We can't stress this enough: Drunk driving is deadly, illegal behavior, and it puts the driver, his or her passengers, and other road users at terrible risk," said Sheriff Mosher. "The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign helps our law enforcement officers better address this problem head on. If you feel impaired by any substance, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle," said Sheriff Mosher.
According to NHTSA, 837 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver during the month of December 2019. During the Christmas and New Year's Day holiday periods in 2019 alone, there were more drunk-driving-related fatalities (210) than during any other holiday period that year. These fatalities are preventable, and drivers must remember that driving impaired by any substance - drugs or alcohol - is deadly, illegal, and selfish behavior.
"We encourage partygoers to always make a plan before they head out to their festivities, so that they may avoid driving drunk at all costs," said Sheriff Mosher. "Remember: It is never okay to drink and drive. Even one drink can be one drink too many. Drinking and driving is a choice; one you should never make."
For more information about the 2021 Holiday Season Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.