Minden Police Department and the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office will be stepping up enforcement of laws prohibiting driving under the influence during a “Drive Sober Get Pulled Over” campaign.
Deputies and police officers will be increasing their efforts in enforcing the laws beginning Friday, Aug. 14. Their vigilance is part of a larger, national law enforcement mobilization that will run through Sept. 7.
Both Chief of Police Jared McIver and Sheriff Jason Parker believe driving while impaired is dangerous and calls for tough enforcement.
“Our officers will be strictly enforcing these laws,” said Chief Jared McIver. “If you are impaired, you will be stopped.”
“Public safety is our top priority and we want everyone to always return to their homes without incident,” said Sheriff Parker. “Our patrol deputies will be making sure anyone who’s driving impaired is taken off the road so others will be safe.”
Tough enforcement of drinking and driving laws is a major factor in the decrease in drinking and driving related deaths since the 1980s, the two lawmen said.
Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time. It’s also extremely expensive. A first-time offense can cost the driver in upwards of $10,000 in fines and legal fees.
Statistics show about 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes every day. That’s one person every 44 minutes. In 2024, 11,904 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths. These deaths were all preventable, the lawmen said.
Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability. In 2024, 2,028 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes where a driver had a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .01 to .07 g/d. These deaths and damages contribute to a cost of around $52 billion per year.
Parker and McIver said being a responsible driver is simple if a few rules are followed. Those include:
- Before drinking, choose a non-drinking friend as a designated driver.
- Don’t let friends drive impaired.
- If you have been drinking, call a taxi or some other ride service.
- If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.
- Always wear a seat belt— it’s the best defense against impaired drivers.
For more information on the Drive Sober Get Pulled Over mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/ciot.