Highway Patrol to crack down on impaired drivers

Oklahoma State Troopers plan to crack down on impaired driving over the New Year’s holiday period.

“ We are strongly encouraging people to be responsible during the holiday celebrations,” said Capt. Paul Timmons, OHP spokesman. “We applaud those who take on the role of designated driver and ask that they take their responsibility seriously. Those who choose to drink and drive will bear the consequences of stepped-up enforcement.”

Because New Year’s Eve is a holiday associated with alcohol-related celebrations, Troopers say they stand ready to enforce impaired driving laws with zero tolerance.

This year’s New Year’s Eve crackdowns are part of the state’s ENDUI campaign, announced by Gov. Mary Fallin at a Capitol press conference in November. The new initiative involves the OHP as well as law enforcement officials from across the state.

Oklahoma Highway Safety Office officials said Oklahoma was rated 51st in the nation in making improvement related to the number of alcohol-related deaths.

"We are well aware of this problem, and it is a top priority for Troopers statewide to embrace the mission of ENDUI and make progress in bringing down the number of impaired driving fatalities and injuries,” Timmons said.

“ One way we plan to do that is by being highly visible and cracking down on impaired drivers during the New Year’s holiday. We urge everyone to plan for alternative transportation or to designate a driver if their holiday celebrations include alcohol.”