Hazelwood Police Prepare for Summer DWI Sobriety Checkpoints

It's that time of year again. Warmer weather means people want ot enjoy outdoor activities and travel more. But it can also mean more instances of impaired driving.

In an effort to keep local roadways safe from drivers not at their best, the (HPD) will be conducting DWI Sobriety Checkpoints on several weekends in May, June and July at various undisclosed locations . The scheduled dates include:

• May 4-5
• May 18-19
• May 25-26
• June 8-9
• July 20-21

In 2011, 218 people were killed and 867 seriously injured in crashes state-wide involving intoxicated drivers. 

The message HPD said it wants to convey to local residents is “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” During this time of year, more people are out on the roads driving because of the nicer weather, busier schedules, and the upcoming Memorial Day weekend which is the unofficial start of summer, said Hazelwood's communication coordinator Tim Davidson.

“All of us can share the roadways and arrive at our destinations safely if we drive responsibly, and not when we’re intoxicated,” said Hazelwood Police Chief Carl Wolf in a statement.  “Our department will be conducting sobriety checkpoints and stepping up enforcement of Missouri’s DWI laws in order to keep impaired drivers off the road. 

"We don’t want to see innocent people killed or injured in crashes caused by drunk drivers.”

Anyone who causes a fatal crash while intoxicated can be charged with involuntary manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both. Other consequences for impaired drivers include the following:

• Your license can be suspended for 90 days on your first conviction. You could be fined up to $500 and spend up to six months in jail.
• A second conviction results in a year-long revocation of your driver's license. You could be fined up to $1,000 and spend up to one year in jail.
• Anyone guilty of a second or subsequent intoxication-related traffic offense will be required to have an ignition interlock device installed on their car before driving privileges can be reinstalled.
• For third and subsequent convictions, you can be penalized with up to a $5,000 fine, a 10-year license denial, and/or up to seven years in jail.
• Auto insurance coverage will be difficult to find. And, if convicted drivers do get coverage, their rates are usually significantly higher.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety has created a special page on Facebook called the Human Toll for people to post stories about the effects of impaired driving in hopes that it can influence those that do so, and in the end save lives.

There is also the Missouri Department of Transportation's "Show Me My Buzz" App. The smartphone app was released last August and lets you estimate your blood alcohol content. It also helps get you a cab.