Sobriety Checkpoint Coming to Hazelwood September 23

Drive sober or get pulled over. A simple sentence that says a lot. It's also the name of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's nationwide, multi-year advertising campaign.

In an effort to support the movement, the (HPD) will be out in full-force on Sept. 23, to remind drivers that driving while intoxicated will land you in the big house.

HPD will not release the location of the checkpoint, but be sure that if you get stopped an you aren't right, you may be going to jail.

"The HPD will be out in force, cracking down on anyone who breaks the law and drives drunk," said Hazelwood Chief of Police Carl Wolf, in a statement. "If you've had too much to drink, ask your designated driver to give you a ride home or call a taxi cab.

"Don't even think about getting behind the wheel. You may not see us, but we will be on the lookout for you. Don't risk it."

Last , HPD arrested two drunk drivers. There were also 23 traffic citations handed out to drivers including three to drivers who either had revoked or suspended licenses.

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 new "Show Me My Buzz" App. The new smartphone app, that was released in August, lets you estimate your BAC and helps get you a cab.