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LCPD Labor Day: Drink - Drive - Under Arrest

LAKE CITY, FL – If you drink and drive in Lake City beware: The Lake City Police Department is joining with law enforcement throughout the nation for the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign August 13 to September 1, 2014. LCPD Officers will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired.


Sheriff Hunter has not released anything for this Labor Day Weekend. In 2012 he did.

The strong nationwide impaired driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement, high- profile events, and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb alcohol impaired driving through the Labor Day holiday weekend.

On average there is one alcohol impaired driving-related fatality every 51 minutes across America. But this tragic loss of life can be reduced if we get impaired drivers off our roadways. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make Lake City's roadways safer for everyone throughout the Labor Day period.

2010: 147 killed

During the Labor Day weekend in 2010, 147 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving drivers or motorcycle riders with BACs of .08 or higher. Among 18- to 34-year-old drivers killed in traffic crashes during the 2010 Labor Day weekend, 54 percent were alcohol-impaired.

"We want to remind everyone that it is illegal to drive impaired, and we hope this campaign will reinforce to everyone that if they plan on drinking, to never get behind the wheel," said Chief Argatha Gilmore. "But if someone does choose to drive impaired, we will arrest them. No warnings. No excuses."

According to Gilmore, violators face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.

"Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk. So don't take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,'" said Gilmore.

Copy edited by the Observer | Sheriff link and logo added

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