LACEY – Whether you’re out having a few rounds with your friends or at home celebrating with the family, police are reminding you to avoid driving under the influence this holiday weekend.
Lacey Police announced that they will be ramping up DUI Enforcement and Prevention over St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
“The danger presented to the public by motorists who choose to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is too often realized through a tragic motor vehicle collision,” stated the department.
Additional DUI patrols will be conducted on St. Patrick’s Day with stealth-type marked vehicles, according to police. The extra patrols are meant to keep Lacey roadways and residents as safe as possible.
These kinds of additional patrols are made possible by Drunk Driving Enforcement Funds (DDEF Grant) allows for these additional DUI enforcement patrols.
Lacey Police operate under a “zero tolerance” code for those who drive under the influence. If you are caught driving impaired by drugs or alcohol, you will be arrested, police said.
“A first-offense DUI conviction will result in severe penalties, including but not limited to: a driver’s license suspension and fines, along with potential towing and impound fees as a result of John’s Law,” stated police.
To avoid any mishaps over the holiday weekend, and any other time, Lacey Police recommends that those planning out going out and drinking should arrange for a designated driver or use public transportation.
Driving drunk doesn’t only get you arrested, it could be fatal.
According to police, “In 2017, alcohol-involved crashes killed 10,874 people in the United States, accounting for 29 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities. An average of one alcohol-impaired driving fatality occurs every 48 minutes.”
