Cary Police Cracks Down on Drunk-Driving

The will begin an intensive crackdown on impaired driving from Aug. 19 to Sept. 5. 

“The problem of impaired driving is a serious one” said in a Cary Poloce press release.

In 2009 alone, 10,839 people died in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal limit, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The age group with the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes was the 21-to-24 age group.

 “All too often, innocent, law-abiding people suffer tragic consequences and the loss of loved ones due to this careless disregard for human life. Because we’re committed to ending the carnage, we’re intensifying enforcement during the crackdown, Chief Casstevens said in a press release.

"Since twice as many alcohol-impaired crashes occur over the weekend and four times as many occur at night, we will be especially vigilant during these high-risk times when impaired drivers are most likely to be on our roads."

According to the latest data from NHTSA, nearly a third of fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC above the legal limit of .08 – an average of one fatality every 48 minutes.

The Cary Police Department said its officers will be aggressively looking for all impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone they find driving while impaired.

“Our message is simple and unwavering: if we find you driving impaired, you will be arrested, no exceptions,” Casstevens said in the release.

Cary Police Sgt. Geoffrey Cooker said violators often face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks.

Sgt. Cooker added that, insurance rates go up, and other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects.

When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation, Cooker said.

“Driving impaired is simply not worth all the consequences. So don’t take the chance. Remember, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” Casstevens said.

 For more information, visit the High-Visibility Enforcement Campaign Headquarters at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.