Weathersfield police join nationwide program
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Weathersfield Township Police Department announced plans to participate in the You Drink and Drive, You Lose nationwide crackdown from Aug. 27 to Sept. 12.
The program marks the first one since all 50 states and the District of Columbia passed 0.08 blood alcohol content laws for impaired driving.
Additionally, for the first time, the crackdown will take place during the Labor Day period to target the end-of-summer impaired driving problem.
"We will have extra patrols out to target impaired drivers who may be under the influence of alcohol and-or drugs," said Police Chief Joseph P. Consiglio.
"So chances are, if you drive impaired this Labor Day, you will get caught. Refuse a sobriety test and you can lose your license on the spot and have your car impounded."
Studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show nearly 97 percent of Americans view drinking and driving by others as a threat to their families and themselves.
NHTSA estimates that 17,401 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2003. This represents 40 percent of the 43,220 people killed in all traffic crashes. Intoxication rates for motorcycle riders continue to be even higher than that of passenger cars or truck drivers.