The LaPorte Police Department is teaming up with more than 250 state and local law enforcement agencies in a full-court press to combat dangerous and impaired driving.
An Operation Pull Over blitz gets underway today and continues through March 27th. Captain Tom Health of the LaPorte Police Department says the combination of Indiana’s deep-rooted basketball pride and the St. Patrick’s Day holiday lead to many celebrations. He encourages revelers to do so responsibly and says anyone found to be driving dangerously or under the influence will be arrested.
Federal funding allocated to local departments through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Traffic Safety Division will pay for the stepped-up patrols. Officers will work 100 hours of overtime to conduct observational patrols and sobriety checkpoints around the clock.
Last March 529 alcohol-related crashes in Indiana resulted in 214 injuries and five fatalities, according to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. Their data also found 1,606 collisions occurred due to dangerous driving, resulting in 332 injuries and four fatalities.
Law enforcement officials stress such accidents are preventable. They encourage partygoers to plan a safe way home before the celebration begins. Do not drive impaired. Designate a sober driver, use a ride sharing service or public transportation. If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911, and if you know someone who is about to drive impaired, take their keys and help them to get home safely.
