Over 24 days, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department issued 186 warnings,51 citations and made 3 DUI arrests, along with 7 criminal misdemeanor and 3 criminal felony arrests during St. Patrick’s Day, college Spring Break and the first rounds of NCAA Tournament.
In 2017, the weekend beginning St. Patrick’s Day had the highest number crashes involving impaired drivers. Federal traffic safety funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) supported random patrols, saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints for more than 230 law-enforcement agencies across the state.
In every state, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. In Indiana, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 are subject to fines and a license suspension for up to 1 year.
The top causes of all Indiana traffic crashes are drivers following too closely and failing to yield the right of way. Aggressive, distracted and impaired driving reduce reaction times to unexpected slowed traffic, bicycles and pedestrians.
Experience different perspectives on an impaired-driving crash scene in 360 degrees at https://on.in.gov/nobigdeal.
New impaired-driving equipment
Last year, ICJI and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) purchased 1,759 new portable breath tests for Indiana law-enforcement agencies. An additional 836 devices are being purchased this year.
But unlike alcohol, there is no quick field test for the legal and illegal drugs that can impair drivers. ICJI and NHTSA are issuing Android tablets and apps to assist 185 highly-trained police officers in the recognition and enforcement of drug-impaired driving.
If you’re taking a new drug or higher dose, talk with your doctor or don’t drive until you know how it affects you. Even over-the-counter medication such as cold medicine or sleep aids may cause impairment, especially when combined with alcohol or a second drug.
