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Lawrence County Sheriff's Office Cracking Down on Impaired Drivers Fourth of July Weekend

06/28/2010

You Drink & Drive.  You Lose.

Lawrence County - The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office received a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Division for participation in the You Drink & Drive. You Lose. campaign to stop people from driving impaired over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.  Enforcement efforts will be increased July 2-5 and will focus on reducing deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired drivers.

"Don't risk it - if you plan to drink, don't drive," stated Sheriff DeLay.  "Whether it is your license, your money or your life - You Drink and Drive.  You Lose."

Consider some of the consequences if you are caught driving while intoxicated:

  • For the first conviction (or first conviction in over five years), your license will be suspended for 30 days followed by a 60-day suspension if a hardship license is not obtained.
  • A second conviction results in a $1,000 fine, a yearlong revocation of your license and up to a year in jail.  You will also be required to install an ignition interlock system on your vehicle, preventing your car from starting when you have alcohol on your breath.
  • Third and subsequent convictions can be penalized with up to a $5000 fine, a 10-year license denial, and/or up to seven years in jail.
  • If you cause a fatal crash while intoxicated, you could be charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years of jail time, a $5000 fine or both.
  • Insurance coverage will be difficult to find and if you do the rates will be significantly higher.

For more information, please visit www.saveMOlives.com.