Mehlville Fire Protection District Reminds You to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over!
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in partnership with law enforcement agencies and precincts across the country initiate the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign during major holidays that statistically correlate to increased drunk driving incidents. The campaign rolls out for the winter holidays (especially New Year’s Eve), Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend.
According to NHTSA statistics, 490 individuals lost their lives in an automobile crash during Labor Day weekend (2022). Sadly, 39 percent of those fatal accidents were caused by someone driving drunk; a quarter of those fatalities occurred because the driver had a BAC of 0.15 or higher.
Be Prepared for a Breathalyzer
When law enforcement initiates the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, drivers should expect to see many more checkpoints along their routes. Highways, rural roads, and other major streets and roadways all may feature breathalyzer checkpoints.
When officers conduct these checkpoints, every driver is expected to stop. Missouri law states that refusing to take a breath test results in a one-year driver’s license suspension.
How Does a Breathalyzer Work?
A breathalyzer measures or estimates the blood alcohol content of an individual via a chemical reaction. Breathalyzers work by trapping the individual’s breath in a chamber; this space in the device includes potassium dichromate. This chemical is orange/red in hue, but when the alcohol vapor mixes with the potassium dichromate, the color changes to green.
The breathalyzer device reads the intensity of the reaction, translating it into an estimated blood alcohol concentration percentage. Breathing into the device without consuming alcohol means that no chemical reaction takes place, and the reading is 0. Breathalyzers are extremely accurate in translating the amount of alcohol in the breath.
What Does BAC Stand For?
BAC refers to blood alcohol concentration. A percentage denotes BAC. As the BAC increases, signs of intoxication also increase. This is why many checkpoints also assess motor skills and speech.
Many law enforcement officers understand that some individuals have poor coordination when sober. It’s ok to politely ask an officer to take a breath test if you haven’t been drinking but find yourself at a checkpoint being asked to step aside for motor skills tests. Many doctors also provide patients with a note explaining a condition that impairs motor skills; show this to the officer and proceed with a breath test.
What Is the Legal BAC Limit in Missouri?
In the state of Missouri, an individual is considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated if their BAC is 0.08%. Commercial vehicle operators receive a DUI/DWI for a BAC of 0.04% or higher. For minors, the limit is 0.020%.
How to Pass a Breathalyzer
There is one simple way to pass a breathalyzer test: DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! Always arrange for a designated driver. In the age of Uber and Lyft, there is no reason for any individual to drink and drive. Call a ride and arrive home alive!
Keep This Safety Tip in Mind on Labor Day Weekend
On Labor Day weekend, law enforcement increases their presence on roads and highways. Although an increased presence will catch many drunk drivers, many more will remain on the road.
EMS crews and police departments urge the public to be mindful when traveling this busy holiday weekend. Try to avoid late-night commutes and trips; while a drunk driving accident can happen at any time of day, many accidents and fatal crashes occur after the bars close, parties end, and events wind down in the late-night hours.
Are You Too Drunk To Drive?
The number of drinks that lead to an illegal BAC differs for each individual. Weight and other factors are part of the BAC equation. The number of drinks that are safe for one person could lead to a DWI for another.
One drink is one drink too many. Don’t assume you know your limit. All lives are more valuable than a cocktail, a beer, a glass of wine, or a shot.
Stay Sober, Stay Safe
Drivers should prepare to stop at checkpoints during Labor Day weekend travel. Remember that refusing a breath test leads to a one-year driver’s license suspension. Drive sober or get pulled over!
