On the evening of August 31, 2012, the Indiana State Police Lafayette Post will conduct an enforcement check point targeting impaired drivers in Clinton County.  A saturation patrol will be occurring after the checkpoint.  If drivers enter the checkpoint area they will be asked to produce their driver’s license and vehicle registration and will be detained no longer than three minutes.

Impaired driving remains one of America’s deadliest problems.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008, 37,261 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle crashes.  That same year, 11,773 people were killed in crashes that involved a driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.  That means every 45 minutes someone died in a crash involving an impaired driver.  In Indiana, in 2007, there were a total of 205,005 crashes, 9,942 of them were alcohol related.

 Reminders so motorists do not find themselves “Over the Limit and Under Arrest”:

• Plan ahead and always designate a sober driver before consuming alcohol.
• Don’t drive your vehicle if you’ve been drinking alcohol. Call a taxi or a sober friend.  A cab ride is cheaper than a D.U.I. arrest.
• Take care of your friends.  Never let a friend drive while impaired.  Take their keys.
• If you are hosting a party, always offer non-alcoholic beverages.  Make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver.
• Never provide alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age of 21.

Motorists are encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911.  Give a vehicle description and direction of travel.  Never follow an impaired driver.  The Indiana State Police are committed to traffic safety and will continue to conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints to apprehend impaired drivers and to deter others from drinking and driving.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.