By
(This story is posted as part of a partnership between the Hamilton County Reporter newspaper & LarryInFishers.com. It appeared in the March 2nd edition of the Reporter)
The Hamilton County Traffic Safety
Partnership, a consortium of law
enforcement agencies
including Carmel
Police, Cicero Police,
Fishers Police,
Noblesville Police,
Westfield Police,
Indiana State Police,
and the Hamilton
County Sheriff’s
Office, announced
today they will join
efforts with over 250
Indiana state and local
law enforcement agencies to increase
education and enforcement around
dangerous and impaired driving.
From March 3 through March 26, 2017,
officers across the state will conduct highvisibility
patrols specifically designated to
identify and intercept those driving
aggressively and under the influence.
“As a state known for basketball
hysteria, March is a time of celebration and
fun here in Indiana,” said Hamilton
County Sheriff Mark Bowen. “Throw in St. Patrick’s Day as well, and its critical we
drive home the message that the only way
to celebrate, is responsibly. For this reason,
our officers will be working day and night
all across the county looking out for our
fellow Hoosiers, because if we do see you
driving dangerously or impaired, we will
pull you over.”
Increased enforcement during March is
a statewide effort supported by federal
funding allocated to the Hamilton County
Traffic Safety Partnership from the Traffic
Safety Division of the Indiana Criminal
Justice Institute (ICJI). Officers from around
the county will work overtime to conduct
observational patrols and sobriety
checkpoints around the clock.
According to ICJI, in March 2016 there
were 495 alcohol-related crashes across
Indiana, resulting in 231 injuries and 11
fatalities. Additionally, during the same
period, crash reports indicate 1,128
collisions occurred due to dangerous
driving, resulting in 260 injuries and two
fatalities. Dangerous driving includes
factors such as “speed too fast for weather conditions,” “driver distracted,” and “driver
asleep or fatigued.”
“Protecting all those traveling Indiana’s
roadways is an action we do not take
lightly,” said ICJI Executive Director Dave
Murtaugh. “With various celebratory events
taking place during the month of March, it’s
important we remind all drivers and
passengers the responsibility of staying safe
on the road, lies at their feet. I want to thank
our hard working and dedicated officers who
will be out in full patrol working to ensure
this message is front and center in the mind
of all those behind the wheel. The key to
safe travel is simple. Buckle up and drive
sober.”
Crashes resulting from dangerous and
impaired driving are preventable. The
Hamilton County Traffic Safety Partnership
and ICJI would like to remind motorists safe driving is as simple as following these easy
steps:
• Before the celebration begins, plan a safe
way home
• Do not drive impaired
• If you do drink, use a taxi, public
transportation, ridesharing service or
designate a sober friend or family member,
and give them your keys
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call
911
• If you know someone who is about to drive
or ride impaired, take their keys and help
make arrangements to get them home safely