City of Columbia Missouri Police Department

600 E. Walnut Street
Columbia, MO 65201

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 29, 2016

CONTACT: Officer Clinton Sinclair
DWI Unit
[email protected]

Bryana Larimer
Public Information Officer
(573) 817-5049
[email protected]

CPD cracking down on impaired driving this week 8/29/16-9/3/16

(COLUMBIA, MO) -

Each year in the state of Missouri, over 3,000 people are killed or injured in alcohol-related crashes. In efforts to improve the safety of Columbia roadways, the Columbia Police Department is stepping up enforcement on impaired driving between August 29, 2016 and September 3, 2016. Motorists can expect to encounter Sobriety Checkpoints and increased impaired driving saturation patrols during this time. These events are funded through a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation Division of Highway Safety. Those traveling the roadways in Columbia can expect minimal delays and the Columbia Police Department wishes to thank motorists in advance for their patience and cooperation.

Missouri law states a person commits the crime of driving while intoxicated if they operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs, and/or prescription medications, regardless of his/her blood alcohol concentration (BAC).  Penalties range from loss of driving privileges, fines, and jail time on first offenses to involuntary manslaughter charges for crashes resulting in death. On average, a person is killed every 53 minutes in an alcohol related crash in the United States and every 2 minutes someone is injured as a result of an impaired driver.

The Columbia Police Department DWI Unit encourages use of alternatives to impaired driving through designated drivers, ride-sharing programs, and available public transportation.

"Call a friend, call an Uber, or hail a cab, just do not get behind the wheel of vehicle if you've been drinking" says Officer Clint Sinclair of the Columbia Police Department DWI Unit. "The effects of impaired driving can be far reaching and in some cases, tragic and devastating."      



City of Columbia Vision
Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.

City of Columbia Mission
To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.

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