Local law enforcement: drive sober or get pulled over

Drive sober or get pulled over.

That’s the warning the Hamilton County Traffic Safety Partnership (HCTSP) is issuing to drivers as law enforcement gears up for the annual end-of-summer impaired driving enforcement campaign. Starting Friday, Aug. 16 through Sept. 2, officers with HCTSP will join with officers across the state to increase patrols and sobriety checkpoints to crack down on those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

“Driving drunk or drug-impaired is a problem for everyone,” ICJI Traffic Safety Director James Bryan said. “Making the choice to operate a vehicle while impaired is never the right option.”

Alcohol-impaired driving continues to contribute to many deaths in Indiana. In 2023, around 20 percent of all traffic fatalities in Indiana involved alcohol impairment. Drug-impaired driving is another major contributor to deadly crashes. In 2023, nearly a quarter of all traffic fatalities involved drug impairment.

Quakenbush

“Our foremost concern is the safety of everyone in our community,” Hamilton County Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush said. “If you’re planning to drink, take responsibility by planning ahead. Let’s join forces to safeguard our community and put an end to these preventable actions.”

Even if you only have one drink, designate a sober driver, or use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. Never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.

For more information on impaired driving, visit nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

Click here to learn more about Hamilton County Traffic Safety Partnership.