CLEVELAND — Every 52 minutes, one person is killed in a drunk driving crash, that’s according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A campaign starting this week involving law enforcement agencies everywhere is designed to save lives.
What You Need To Know
- Law enforcement agencies nationwide are participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign for Labor Day
- There will be a heightened law enforcement presence on the roads looking for impaired drivers
- Drivers should plan ahead when they know you’ll be drinking to be sure they have a safe ride home
“We want our roads to be safe. We want people to get to their destination alive and we want to save lives,” said Capt. Michael Majernik of the Mentor Police Department.
Majernik has worked for the Mentor Police Department for 24 years. During his tenure, he has worked crash scenes with impaired drivers and said he’ll never forget what he’s seen.
“I think we’ve all seen pictures of crashed up vehicles, but to go on scene and actually see somebody in there and them struggling in their last couple of breaths or you trying to get them out of the there, you know, you do what you can but those images stay with officers and it’s 10 times worse than just seeing the pictures,” said Majernik.
Not only does he have to see the scene, he also has to notify the families of those killed in crashes. He said that never gets easier either.
“You know, to tell a loved one that someone just died in a motor vehicle accident because they were drunk is heart-wrenching for the officer and devastating for the family,” said Majernik.
That’s why he and law enforcement agents across the country are participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
Majernik said it only takes one or two drinks to become impaired, so people need to plan ahead when they know they’ll be drinking.
“Use a ride share service. Exercise good judgment ahead of time and plan accordingly,” said Majernik.
Majernik said the results of drinking and driving are straight forward.
“Well you’ll be arrested. Your car will be towed and, you know, that’s something that, you know, at least if we stop you you didn’t kill somebody hopefully,” said Majernik. “You know, so we get you off the road and, you know, people always say it costs a lot for rideshare service or ride service but I’ll tell you what the cost of an OVI to go to court and everything else that goes with it will cost you a lot more than that.”
As Labor Day weekend approaches, motorists will notice more law enforcement agents on the roads looking for impaired drivers so everyone can make it home safely.
