Video: Keeping Impaired Drivers Off The Streets

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)-Christmas parties can lead to a little too much holiday cheer when alcohol is involved.

Now, you’ll see more law enforcement on the roads trying to catch anyone behind the wheel who is over the limit.

As a part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign, a $75,000 grant is helping the Columbus Police Department make those arrests.

“We’re looking for impaired drivers whether it be alcohol, drugs or anything else, and that’s so that citizens of Columbus will be safe,” said Fred Shelton, CPD assistant police chief.

The department will set up various road blocks throughout the city, trying to get impaired drivers off the road.

“When you look at the statistics, there are people dying every year in accidents all over this country, so what we’re trying to do in Mississippi specifically is reduce that at least by two percent,” said Shelton.

The grant is paying for officers to work 310 hours of overtime this holiday season, which will allow them to stay on patrol longer and catch drunk drivers.

“I’m looking for a strong odor of alcoholic beverages, I’m look at blood shot red eyes, I’m looking at fumbling As I’m asking for the driver’s license and they’re fumbling and fidgeting and being nervous, got their feet on the break when they should have it in park, things like that are keys that we look for, and what that will do is warn us to do further checking,” Shelton explained.

The legal limit is point .08. If a driver blows that number or above, they’re considered to be driving under the influence.

“A drunk person will not only hurt themselves but they’ll hurt others,” the assistant police chief said.

Shelton said many people will have one drink and think they’re OK to drive.  However, Shelton urges drivers not to take that risk.

“That’s one of the things that we don’t want to do during this holiday season is have to go an explain to a family, hey, the reason your loved one is not here is because there was a person that was driving, his ability to drive was impaired by either alcohol or drugs and he killed your loved one,” he said.

Officers still want everyone to have fun during the holidays, they just want everyone to be safe and be smart.  If you’re going to drink make sure you have a designated driver, because if not.

“If you get caught and you’re over the limit, you’re going to jail,” said Shelton.

The Mississippi Office of Highway Safety is providing the grant money to the CPD.  The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign is taking place now until New Years Day.