Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign begins today

CANFIELD — Participating agencies in the Mahoning County Operating a Vehicle Impaired Task Force kicked off the local "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign this morning.

"Our goal is to make the roadways in Mahoning County safer," said Scott Weamer, Canfield assistant police chief.

The national campaign focuses on high visibility by authorities from today through Labor Day, which this year is Sept. 7. Weamer said the financial impact of impaired drivers' crashes in 2010 was $49.8 billion. He said while there are critics of the OVI task force, he pointed to that financial impact and said money spent on checkpoints and additional patrols "is money well spent. We're saving lives."

Mahoning Safe Communities has partnered with 30 area bars and restaurants to display banners, magnets and disposable drink coasters with the campaign message on them.

Susan Viars is coordinator of Mahoning Safe Communities, which is based out of the New Middletown Police Department. She said those partnerships with local establishments are focused on Austintown, Boardman and downtown Youngstown.

"A lot of [those bars and restaurants] have a safe ride phone number posted behind the bar" for a taxi driver or designated driver for hire, she said.

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com