Excelsior residents can rest easy knowing their police department is looking out for their safety during a DWI Enforcement Crackdown Campaign planned for the holidays.
Local police will be out in full force Dec. 15 through the New Year, according to Excelsior Springs Police Department Sgt. Brian Kennedy.
ESPD will be on the watch for substance-impaired drivers as part of the annual statewide Holiday DWI “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign.
“The department will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving under the influence,” said Kennedy.
Although driving while impaired is illegal, Kennedy said far too many people tend to get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol, especially over the Christmas and New Year’s Eve weekends.
“Statistics show that high-visibility enforcements like the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign reduces impaired driving by as much as 20 percent,” Kennedy said. “We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does being under the influence impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can or should drive.”
According to Kennedy, ESPD wants to remind its citizens that if you have any doubt whatsoever about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. Either find a designated driver, he said, or call for a ride.
“Absolutely, do not get behind the wheel,” Kennedy added. “It’s just not worth the risk and we will be watching.”