Officers increase efforts to stop impaired driving

During this week, the Columbia Police Department will be putting more attention on stopping impaired drivers.

This comes after C-P-D received a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Division to participate in the You Drink, You Drive, You Lose campaign.

Officers tell ABC17 that there will be at least one sobriety check point this week and more saturation patrols, but they do not expect to see many delays for drivers.

This comes after a study showed at least 30% of all fatal accidents in Missouri were the result of impaired drivers.

Missouri is also a zero tolerance state, so anyone under the age of 21 caught with any alcohol on them in the vehicle will have their license taken away.

If an impaired driver causes a fatal crash they could be charged with involuntary manslaughter.

And if anyone is caught intoxicated on the roads their licenses could be suspended for 90 days.

Officers say they want to see everyone get home safely and encourage all Columbia residents to use a different mode of transportation if they have been drinking.