The national Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over enforcement period for 2017 began Wednesday and will continue through the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Local law enforcement agencies are partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during the enforcement period, providing extra patrols and increased vigilance in identifying and arresting impaired drivers.
Safe Communities of Pickaway County kicked off the Drive Sober campaign this year with an event held Aug. 12 at the Pickaway Farmer's Market.
Rep. Gary Scherer (R-Circleville) was recognized for his work with the recently-approved Annie's Law and other traffic safety initiatives at Saturday's event, where city and county officials came together to pledge their solidarity in the fight against impaired driving.
Sheriff Robert Radcliff spoke at the event, along with Sgt. Matthew Hafey of the Circleville Police Department and Lt. Steven Herron of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Rep. Scherer also spoke about Annie Rooney, the young woman killed by a drunk driver in 2013 for whom Annie's Law is named. The law gives judges and OVI offenders various options through the use of breathalyzer interlock devices installed in the offender's vehicle that will not allow the vehicle to start if alcohol is detected.
Judge Gary Dumm, Circleville Municipal Court, also was on hand to discuss his court's use of alcohol ankle bracelet monitors as a tool for reducing repeat OVI offenders.
Brad Lutz, county administrator, also attended Saturday's event to deliver a proclamation for the Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over campaign on behalf of the Pickaway County Commissioners.
According to NHTSA, approximately one-third of all fatal crashes in the United States involves drunk drivers. One person is killed every 51 minutes by a drunk driver on our nation's roadways.
Drunk driving is the most preventable cause of traffic crashes. Designate a sober driver before you drink, and make arrangements for your friends and family to get home safely if they have been drinking. If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
(Pictured Above (from left) are Judge Gary Dumm, Circleville Municipal Court; Lt. Steven Herron, Circleville Post Commander of the Ohio State Highway Patrol; Sgt. Matthew Hafey, Circleville Police Department; Rep. Gary Scherer, Ohio House of Representatives; Sheriff Robert Radcliff, Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office; and Brad Lutz, Pickway County Administrator)