WABASH COUNTY, Ind. – Over a 25-day period, Wabash County Sheriff’s Department issued 19 citations and made 15 arrests as part of the national enforcement blitz known as Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Federal highway safety funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute supported overtime patrols for about 220 law-enforcement agencies across the state.
“These enforcement efforts save the lives of impaired drivers, their passengers and others out on the road,” said Sgt. Dan Johnson. “Our commitment to enforcing traffic laws and keeping area roads as safe as possible continues throughout the year.”
Nationwide, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. In Indiana, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and a license suspension for up to 1 year.
A DUI arrest means going to jail and losing your driver’s license. The average DUI cost? About $10,000, including car towing and repairs, attorney fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work and other hefty expenses. For more information, visit http://one.nhtsa.gov/drivesober.
Impaired Driving Alternatives
With all of today’s options for getting home safely, there’s no excuse for getting behind the wheel impaired as it endangers you and everyone else around you. Law enforcement recommends these safe alternatives to impaired driving:
Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over
Motorcyclists have the reputation for being tough, but no one is tough enough to withstand the effects of impaired riding. Motorcycles make up about 3 percent of registered vehicles, but are dramatically overrepresented in fatal crashes involving alcohol. And the more that bikers drink, the less likely they are to wear their helmets.
Report impaired drivers
Impaired driving is three times more common at night than during the day. If you see an impaired driver, turn off the road away from the vehicle and call 911. Signs of impaired driving include: