Police stepping up DUI patrols tonight
By COLIN KYLER ckyler@timesobserver.comWith increased drinking to celebrate the new year, local law enforcement plans to step up its DUI patrols.
Warren County Sheriff's Deputy Timothy Hepinger said patrols would be out during the weekend as DUI normally increases during holidays.
Warren-based State Police Cpl. Gary Burnell said his agency would not have specific checkpoints or roving patrols but would have additional patrols.
In addition to the Sheriff's office, Hepinger said Forest County Sheriff's Office, Youngsville Borough and Warren City police would participate.
The number of cars on patrol depends on those available, Hepinger said, and in past years have ranged between two and six.
Warren County DUI Program Coordinator Carl McKee said local agencies would increase their own patrols for the holiday, limiting the manpower available.
Patrols will focus on the evening hours, Hepinger said, as statistics have indicated crashes are more likely to occur at that time.
Hepinger said it would be difficult to estimate how many arrests patrols anticipate making as it would depend on the amount of traffic, but previous years have seen between zero and eight arrests.
So far this year, McKee said their have been 204 DUI cases in the county, a slight increase over the previous year's 195.
McKee said he hoped the increase is due to better enforcement focusing on aggressive driving.
Once those drivers are pulled over, McKee said they are often found to be under the influence of alcohol.
When arrests are up, McKee said accidents are usually down since it serves as a deterrent.
Like a sales job, Mckee said local law enforcement emphasizing making contacts by pulling over drivers for offenses like broken tail lights.
Even though a DUI arrest is not made, McKee said drivers realize patrols will catch them if they do choose to drink and drive.
For those who do drink, Hepinger recommends getting a designated driver or to drink in moderation.
"We're not out to keep people from drinking but to make roadways safe," he said.
While personal breathalyzers may give users some indication of their blood alcohol content, Hepinger warned such devices are not calibrated.
Some use the device the right way, McKee said, but others misuse it, seeing how high they can get their BAC to impress friends.
Though some people believe agencies have quotas, Hepinger insisted agents care about public safety, not numbers.
|
Morrison
|
|
|---|---|
|
01-03-10 12:43 PM
|
Drunk drivers get no sympathy from me. Period. That includes relatives.
|
|
watcher
|
|
|
01-03-10 11:08 AM
|
Scary isn't it?
|
|
fivealive
|
|
|
01-01-10 1:19 PM
|
Suspending a license does nothing. Do you know how many drunk drivers are out driving on suspended licenses? Jail is for people who are a danger to society. Don't drunk drivers fall into this category?
|
|
justobserving
|
|
|
12-31-09 11:20 AM
|
I hope they watch conewango ave. tonight. I've seen to many drunks sneaking (should say roaring) out of town late at night on that ave.
|
|
watcher
|
|
|
12-31-09 9:49 AM
|
buzzed driving. I wonder where the line between drunk and buzzed is. Is it a feeling or a number like .074 BAC?
|
|
Morrison
|
|
|
12-31-09 9:16 AM
|
I love the TV ad on "buzzed" driving. Hits it right on the head.
|
|
samibigelow
|
|
|
12-31-09 9:01 AM
|
Getting caught is one thing, but time after time they are let go with just a light fine and a warning. Zero tolerance, people. I hope that 27 year old has to go to classes, has his license suspended, and has to do hours and hours of community service, beginning with cleaning the trash from the side of the road, and cleaning up any roadkills.
|
|
watcher
|
|
|
12-31-09 8:53 AM
|
look at the 27yr old drunk that went up the wrong way on the four lane this past week. 3 times legal limit. Too bad they didn't get him sooner before the collision. He wouldn't have made it home anyway. Hope nothing bad happens tonight.
|
|
PleasantMan
|
|
|
12-31-09 8:32 AM
|
Yes the system is not perfect but every drunk they get off the streets saves lives. Those that choose to drink and drive have had fair warning and I hope you get caught.
|
|
watcher
|
|
|
12-31-09 8:10 AM
|
Remember Judge Wolfe? Do you know how many times he was pulled over and given a ride home and nothing more was said? About a year and a half ago I was out having a few and the pub I was at was having a get together in the back room. All Warren city police including a couple retirees. All were more than buzzing when they left and all drove away. Imagine that.
|
|
Clark
|
|
|
12-31-09 7:01 AM
|
How many of these people will be repeat offenders that got a slap on the wrist the last time(s)?
|
|
Morrison
|
|
|
12-31-09 6:58 AM
|
Recommend a BAC be made and arrest concluded before identifying the person. That would weed out all the officers of the court and law enforcement friends from getting away. lol
|