Concord PD Cracking Down on Impaired Drivers

The , along with nearly 200 other municipal police departments and law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts, is stepping up traffic enforcement from Aug. 19 through Sept. 5 as part of an initiative — Drive Sober of Get Pulled Over — aimed at getting impaired drivers off the street.

The Concord PD provided the following information about the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over program.

The problem of impaired driving is a serious one. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows the number of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in Massachusetts fell from 2008 to 2009, but the numbers are still too high.

In 2009 alone, 108 people died in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal limit, according to the NHTSA. The age group with the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes was the 21-to-24 age group.

“All too often, innocent, law-abiding people suffer tragic consequences and the loss of loved ones due to this careless disregard for human life. Because we’re committed to keeping the Commonwealth’s roadways safe, we’re intensifying enforcement during the crackdown. Since twice as many alcohol-impaired crashes occur over the weekend and four times as many occur at night, we will be especially vigilant during these high-risk times when impaired drivers are most likely to be on our roads,” said Chief Barry R. Neal.

The Concord Police Department will be aggressively looking for all impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone they find driving while impaired — regardless of age, vehicle type or time of day.

“Our message is simple and unwavering: if we find you operating while impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions,” said Chief Barry R. Neal. “Even if you beat the odds and manage to walk away from an impaired-driving crash alive, the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can still destroy your life.”

According to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, violators often face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, or are sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Their insurance rates go up. Other financial expenses include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of a current or prospective job. All told, a first offense can easily cost well over $5,000 as well as personal embarrassment and humiliation.

“Driving impaired is simply not worth all the consequences," Neal said. "So don’t take the chance. Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."

Click here to visit the High-Visibility Enforcement Campaign Headquarters for more information.