Police draw bead

on drunk drivers

As the Labor Day holiday weekend approaches, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) along with local law enforcement officials are combining their efforts in the "You Drink & Drive. You Lose, " campaign.

From August 27 through September 12, 2004, there will be increased traffic stops and checkpoints set up all throughout the state.

At the local level the KSP will be joining forces with the Grayson County Sheriff's Department to set up roadblocks and sobriety checkpoints throughout the county.

They will be checking for alcohol and drugs, the use of safety belts, speeding, insurance and registration, and anything that may make the vehicle unsafe or dangerous to others on the roadway.

The Labor Day holiday is a special time to get together with family and friends and enjoy the final days of summer.

Yet, the Labor Day weekend also brings an increase in impaired driving and alcohol-related fatalities.

In 2002, 55 percent of fatalities during the Labor Day weekend were alcohol-related.

According to the KSP, impaired driving is no accident.

It is one of the most frequently committed violent crimes in America, in fact, it kills someone every thirty minutes.

In 2003, there were 5,578 alcohol-related crashes that killed 178 people and injured more than 3,500 people in Kentucky alone.

According to KSP officials, the key to deterring impaired driving is highly visible enforcement.

The "You Drink & Drive. You Lose," campaign is a comprehensive effort that will combine enforcement and efforts nationwide to convince the public that if they drive impaired, they will be caught and prosecuted.