Sharon Police To Use Grant To Add Extra Impaired-Driving Patrols

SHARON, MA — The Sharon Police Department plans to increase patrols targeting possibly intoxicated drivers with help from a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Office of Grants and Research. Sharon Deputy Police Chief Donald Brewer said the patrols will be increased during the holiday season as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement mobilization.

"When an impaired driver is behind the wheel, everyone is at risk — passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists sharing the road," Brewer said. "These funds will increase the number of impaired driving patrols over the holidays. Regardless of the type or level of impairment, if a driver is operating the vehicle in a dangerous manner, they will be stopped."

Sharon police will be looking for both drunk and drugged drivers.

According to state data from 2013-2017 posted through Sharon police, marijuana is the most prevalent drug found in drivers involved in fatal crashes, 11 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes were found with both alcohol and drugs in their system, 78 percent of impaired drivers in fatal crashes were men and 35 percent of drunk drivers in a fatal crash were between 21 and 29 years old

The National Highway Traffic Association said that approximately one-third of all fatal traffic fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. The NHTA warns that mixing alcohol and marijuana can dramatically enhance the effects of the drug in relation to someone who uses the drug alone.

Go here for more information on the Office of Grants and Research’s impaired driving enforcement grant program.