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Hazelwood Police Plans Sobriety Checkpoint Oct. 11-12
The Hazelwood Police Department is gearing up for another DWI Sobriety Checkpoint during the weekend of Oct. 11-12. Police officers will be setting it up at an undisclosed location within the city limits.
Sobriety Checkpoints are a part of the HPD’s on-going efforts to enforce Missouri’s DWI laws and to keep impaired drivers off the roads. Impaired driving contributes to nearly 30 percent of all Missouri traffic fatalities. In 2012, 230 people were killed and 868 seriously injured in crashes involving an impaired driver.
The HPD warns young motorists that Missouri has a Zero Tolerance Law, which is strongly enforced in the Hazelwood community. Anyone under the age of 21 who is caught driving with even a trace of alcohol in their system will have their license suspended.
The consequences of being arrested for drunk driving can be substantial. An individual who causes a fatal crash while intoxicated can be charged with involuntary manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years of jail time, a $5,000 fine or both. For the first conviction, offenders can have their license suspended for 90 days. They could also be fined up to $500 and given a 6-month jail sentence. Those who are charged with a second conviction can expect to have their license revoked for one year. Other consequences include the following: a fine up to $1,000; one-year jail sentence; and mandatory requirement to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle before having their driving privileges reinstated.
“Driving drunk is simply not worth all the consequences,” said Hazelwood Police Chief Gregg Hall. “Our message is simple and unwavering, ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.’ If you’re impaired when we pull you over at a sobriety checkpoint or a random traffic stop, you will be arrested.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol urges all citizens to report any vehicle operating in a careless manner. They can call the toll-free 1.800.525.5555 or on their cell phone at *55. For more information, go to www.savemolives.com
