   
CPD to crack down on impaired driving
LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT
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 The Conway Police Department announced today it will begin a two-week campaign to intensify enforcement on impaired driving. Conway Police Officers will join other law enforcement agencies throughout the country in a nationwide effort to suppress impaired driving.
The national campaign, titled Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest, focuses on reducing impaired-driving crashes. In 2006, nearly 13,500 people died in crashes in which the driver or motorcycle rider was legally impaired, according to the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"We will be out in full force during this crackdown. If we find you driving while impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions. We will be aggressive in this crackdown and will arrest anyone found to be driving while impaired, regardless of what you drive," said Conway Police Chief A.J. Gary.
Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher is illegal in every state. Arkansas also has a law stating that persons under the age of 21 who are driving with a BAC of .02 or higher could also be charged with Underage Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The DUI offense not only applies to alcohol impaired driving, but also prohibits driving under the influence of controlled substances such as marijuana or certain prescription drugs. The Conway Police Department has seven certified drug recognition experts to ascertain whether someone is too impaired to drive due to ingestion of controlled substances or over-the-counter medications.
"Both violations carry substantial penalties such as fines, court cost or being ordered to use an ignition interlock device. Violators could also face jail time, loss of their driver's license, attorney fees, high insurance rates, lost time at work or the loss of a potential employer. The humiliation and personal embarrassment can be overwhelming," said officer Sharen Carter.
"Not only does it affect you financially, it could affect you the rest of your life, especially if your actions caused a crash that severely injured or killed someone. Too many innocent lives have been lost and too many families have suffered. It is simply not worth the consequences. Find or arrange for a designated driver or find another way home," Carter said.
Across the country, more than $30 million in state and federal funds will be spent in support of the high-visibility crackdown through television and radio ads targeted to young male drivers, who are the most common perpetrators of this deadly crime. Another $20 million will be spent on extra police enforcement including saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints during the crackdown period.
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