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  • Patrolmen Dusty Singer is just one of many Claremore police officers that will be looking for drunk drivers this weekend. Salesha Wilken

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December 30, 2011

Drinking and driving, stops with you

Salesha Wilken Staff Reporter

CLAREMORE — Every year prior to New Year’s Eve campaigns, commercials, advertising and news articles push to inform the public about drinking and driving. Yet every year people are killed on roadways across the country due to driving after alcohol consumption.

Rogers County is no exception and local law enforcement agencies are working to remind drivers that drinking and driving just do not mix.

If a simple reminder is not enough to stress the issue, officers are planning increased patrols and will be looking for offenders.

Every 40 minutes someone is killed due to alcohol impaired driving and it is the most frequently committed violent crime in the United States, according to www.nhtsa.gov.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website provides statistics and other information. If hosting a party, some tips provided include: don’t push drinks, offer non-alcoholic beverages, be cautious, don’t over serve and offer gifts for designated drivers.

Claremore Chief of Police, Stan Brown encourages everyone to consider personal responsibility.

“In the 22 years I have served as an officer, I have never been to a crash site where someone was killed that the driver ever started the evening with the intent of having something like that happen,” he said.

Brown said, “good people” can by choice commit this crime.

“Simple solution, don’t drink and drive.”

Rogers County Sheriff Sam Walton echoed the statement and said that deputies will be out patrolling common county roads traveled by those wanting to avoid be stopped.

“We are not trying to spoil anyone’s New Year’s Eve, we just want people to be responsible,” Walton said, “If you plan on drinking at all do no drive. A designated driver never goes out of style.”  

The Rogers County Sheriff’s office, Claremore Police Department and Oklahoma Highway Patrol will all be out on streets this weekend in increased numbers.

Citizens should remember it is a serious offense, Brown said.

There are potential costs beyond those that cannot be measured. Losing a life cannot be recovered but even if no accident occurs the financial toll can have lasting affects.

First time offenders can face jail time, losing their driver license, attorney and court fees, increased car insurance rates if not dropped completely and issues with current or future employment, according to Brown.

Hosting a party, serving alcoholic beverages to minors or just simply not regulating the amount of alcohol consumed can also lead to civil and criminal action against the host or hostess.

It may be as simple as saying don’t drink and drive but ultimately the decision is one of each individual. Just by looking out for each other partygoers can help make sure that those who may not make the choice to limit consumption do not make a fatal mistake.

Stopping friends or family from drinking and driving saves lives.

If someone does not stop them before they drive, officers around Rogers County are prepared to.

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