Officers from regional police departments are united in supporting the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign to not only help prevent or deter drunk drivers, but hopefully also to save the lives of people who are on the road at the wrong time.
The Lake County Safe Communities Coalition is reminding drivers of the life-saving benefits of not driving under the influence of alcohol as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s nationwide, highly visible enforcement campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
The nationwide campaign against driving under the influence runs from mid-August to September 2nd. Several Lake County law enforcement agencies are participating in the measures.
“In the context of the meaning of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, the most important reason is to recognize the incredible pain and anguish that families go through when we as law enforcement officers come to their door with the worst and most devastating news – that their loved one has been seriously injured or killed as a result of an accident that they ultimately learn involved a driver who was drunk or under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” said Painesville Police Chief Daniel Waterman. “There are no reasons that make losses of this nature less painful, but the lifelong pain that families of seriously injured or lost loved ones go through is all the more painful when families know the loss could have been avoided.
“Perhaps this thought and reflection on what families go through will help someone who is considering driving while drunk.”
According to the NHTSA, every 39 minutes someone is killed in a traffic crash involving a drunk driver, which is more than 13,000 people per year.
“We need the commitment of our community members to keep the roads clear of drunk drivers so everyone can have a safe summer and a safe Labor Day,” said health educator Katelyn Christo. “This is an awareness campaign to spread the message that driving under the influence is illegal and costs lives.”
To support law enforcement’s commitment to protecting the lives of their communities, officers will work together during this time to get drunk drivers off the roads.
As Labor Day weekend approaches, the coalition recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving:
• Remember that it is never OK to drive while drunk. Even if you have only had one alcoholic drink, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local police.
• Is one of your friends about to drive drunk? Take the keys away from them and make sure your friend gets home safely.
“The ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled’ campaign is very important,” said Willoughby Police Detective Lt. John Begovic. “On holiday weekends, our officers are extra careful to monitor the roads for drunk drivers. We want people to enjoy their holiday weekends, but do it responsibly. You hear countless stories like ‘if only I had done that.’ Don’t be that person.”
Mentor-on-the-Lake Lt. Tina Messinger echoed Waterman and Begovic’s comments, but also reminded riders that the legalization of marijuana adds another element to the campaign.
“The goal of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is not only to arrest drunk drivers, but to deter drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel in the first place,” Messinger said. “This year brings a new aspect to the campaign. With the recent legalization of recreational marijuana and the fact that local dispensaries now sell marijuana-infused products, it is important to know that driving under the influence of marijuana is still illegal.
“Marijuana impairment also contributes to many crashes because it impairs reaction time and alters depth perception, vision and reflexes,” she added. “It is also still illegal to have evidence of burnt marijuana in a vehicle. Simple: If you use marijuana, you cannot drive. I am a certified drug recognition expert in the state of Ohio. Officers with this certification are willing to administer tests to drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs other than alcohol to ensure a conviction.”
Willowick Lt. Keith Lawrence said the department takes its mission of ensuring road safety very seriously, despite its limited size and staffing issues this time of year.
“Our officers will be on the road looking for drunk drivers and will intervene if necessary,” Lawrence said. “We take the issue of drunk driving very seriously and work around the clock to keep dangerous drunk drivers off the road.”
According to Eastlake Police Chief Larry Reik, drunk driving is a choice – a bad choice – and one that can go far beyond who is behind the wheel.
“We support this and other programs to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road,” Reik said. “There are so many alternatives that people can use instead of driving while under the influence, and we want to stress again and again that making a bad decision while under the influence of alcohol will cost you time and money and could cost you or others your life. Please act responsibly.”
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