Jefferson City police begin their DWI enforcement campaign

Jefferson City police will begin their holiday DWI enforcement campaign on Friday.

Jefferson City police will work with other law enforcement officers to help keep impaired drivers off the road. Additional officers will be on duty, working overtime.

Police said there were 233 people killed and 700 seriously injured on Missouri roadways in 2016, involving at least one impaired driver.

During the 2016 Christmas and New Year’s Holiday season, 44 people were killed and 193 were seriously injured in crashes. Of those crashes, there were 7 fatal and 44 seriously injured due to at least one impaired driver.

“It’s never worth the risk to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The only safe driver is one that is completely sober,” said Police Chief Roger Schroeder.

Officers ask drivers to not risk their lives or others. If a person plans on drinking, do not drive.

Police also ask everyone who gets in a car to wear their seatbelt because it is the best defense against an impaired driver.

The campaign will go through Jan. 1.

For more information on the campaign, click here.