Law enforcement cracking down on drunk driving over holiday weekend

Drivers in the Twin Lakes will want to make sure they have a plan in place if they plan on enjoying a few drinks over the 4th of July holiday weekend. Area law enforcement agencies from the local to state level will participate in the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign during the Independence Day holiday.

The Fourth of July is consistently one of the deadliest holidays for traffic crashes. From 2019 to 2023, 2,653 people were killed in traffic incidents during the holiday period nationwide, including 1,679 drivers. Of those drivers, 643 or 38 percent were legally drunk. The highest percentage of impaired drivers killed (48 percent) were between the ages of 21 and 34.

The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office said it will maintain a zero tolerance policy toward impaired driving, with no leniency for those caught driving under the influence. Sheriff John Montgomery says having a plan in place will make sure everyone is safe and still gets to enjoy the holiday weekend.

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Mountain Home Police Department(MHPD) Coporel Rockie says their officers will be out in full force this weekend. “We want to make it clear that on this Fourth of July holiday, we will have a zero-tolerance policy against drinking and driving. There will be no leniency shown. We are well trained to identify signs of drunk driving on the road. Make responsible choices to help us ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for all.”

Checkpoints will be setup around the Twin Lakes areas with local jurisdictions ensuring that all on the road are following the law and staying safe. Local lakes and waterways will be also monitored very heavily.

All law area wide law enforcement agencies encourage the public to plan ahead if drinking is part of their holiday plans. Options include using a designated driver, calling a taxi or rideshare, or arranging for alternate transportation before drinking begins. The Sheriff’s Office also encourages citizens to step in if someone they know is impaired and intends to drive, and to report suspected drunk drivers to law enforcement.

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