DWI Hit Parade!

Mercury News editorial: California should lower DUI alcohol level

Leave blood-alcohol rules up to states, GOP says

Politico - ‎18 hours ago‎

Republicans have a message for federal safety regulators who want to dramatically lower the legal alcohol limit for drivers: Washington needs to butt out. GOP leaders on Capitol Hill said the legal limit on blood-alcohol content should be left to state …

Drunk driving: Why is MADD among critics of lower alcohol limit? (+video)

Christian Science Monitor - ‎May 15, 2013‎

Enlarge. On its surface, the recommendation seems simple: reduce the legal limit for blood-alcohol content (BAC), and drunken-driving fatalities will fall, too. Skip to next paragraph. Related stories. How much do you know about gas prices? Take our quiz!

Will Arresting People Who Aren’t Very Drunk Reduce Drunk-Driving Fatalities?

Slate Magazine (blog) - ‎May 15, 2013‎

Crime is Slate’s crime blog. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @slatecrime. On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a report offering several recommendations on how to reduce drunk driving in the United States. The most …

NTSB to states: Lower drunken-driving thresholds – Newsday

Newsday - ‎May 15, 2013‎

WASHINGTON – With drunken driving still a stubborn national problem that accounts for one-third of all traffic deaths, federal safety regulators Tuesday called on states to take a dramatic step: lower the legal limit for drivers’ blood-alcohol content from 0.08 …

Safety board’s call to lower blood alcohol limit for drivers stokes criticism

Kansas City Star - ‎May 14, 2013‎

The beer that turns out to be “one too many” could soon be the one before that. Order Reprints. File photo by Jill Toyoshiba The National Transportation Safety Board’s call for a lower blood alcohol limit is only a recommendation, but there is precedent for …

States Urged to Cut Limit on Alcohol for Drivers

New York Times - ‎May 14, 2013‎

WASHINGTON — Thousands of people are killed or injured every year by drivers who have not reached the legal standard for being drunk but who have a reduced ability to see, make decisions or operate a vehicle, the National Transportation Safety Board …

0.05 may be the next threshold for drunken driving

Dallas Morning News - ‎May 14, 2013‎

Dallas police officers conduct a traffic stop before arresting the occupants for outstanding warrants in the Pleasant Grove area. The car was pulled over as it had expired registration, the driver was also found drinking a beer. The Dallas Morning News …

Feds float lower DWI limit; some say it will reduce fatalities, others say it’s a …

Newsday - ‎May 14, 2013‎

One drink for a 120 pound woman, two drinks for a 160 pound man. That’s all it would take to be considered legally drunk under a new federal recommendation to lower the driving while intoxicated blood-alcohol limit from .08 percent to .05 percent.

NTSB Wants to Toughen Alcohol Limits for Drivers

ABC News - ‎May 14, 2013‎

A leading government safety entity is calling on the U.S. to lower the allowable blood alcohol level for drivers by 35 percent. The board of the National Transportation Safety Board this morning recommended that the blood alcohol content, or BAC, from .08 …

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Twin Cities roads on Friday, May 10, will be saturated with up to 150 law enforcement squads from more than 70 different agencies during a special one-day DWI enforcement crackdown, the largest coordinated DWI event ever in the metro.

The campaign is coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety. City and county agencies and the Minnesota State Patrol are participating. Extra DWI patrols are also hitting the roads in many other counties this weekend.

The increased patrols are rolling out to alert motorists of the dangers and consequences of drunk driving as the state heads into the warm-weather driving season, when impaired driving activity historically increases. In the past five years, there were 288 drunk driving deaths during May–August, representing 44 percent of the state’s total drunk driving deaths (651) in these five years.

Each year in Minnesota, drunk driving accounts for more than 100 deaths and nearly 300 serious, life-altering injuries. Nearly 30,000 people are arrested for DWI annually and one in seven Minnesota drivers has a DWI on record.

“We are strongly demonstrating what we are doing to stop drunk drivers through this display of enforcement,” says DPS Commissioner Mona Dohman. “We are asking you to do your part, too, by planning ahead and avoiding the dangers and consequences of driving impaired.”

The effort will be supported by high-visibility enforcement tactics including MnDOT overhead message boards calling out certain major corridors as “DWI Enforcement Zones” — where officers will be focusing patrols.

DPS will live-report DWI arrest activity on Twitter May 10 — follow updates at @MnDPS_OTS, #May10DWI.

The May 10 event leads into future increased DWI patrols this summer that will be focused on the state’s 13 counties with the highest combined totals of drunk driving deaths and serious injuries: Anoka, Becker, Dakota, Hennepin, Meeker, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Ramsey, St. Louis, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington, Wright.

A statewide DWI crackdown will be on the roads in mid-August.

Project Solo – Sobriety Checkpoint and Saturation Patrol Results

LEONARDTOWN, MD. (April 29, 2013) According to the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s spokesperson Dep. Cindy Allen, on the weekend of April 26, 2013 the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office conducted a sobriety checkpoint and saturation patrols.  The results of the checkpoint and saturation patrols are as follows:

309 vehicles pass through the checkpoint – 3 drivers were pulled over and checked for impairment (Joseph Munoz, 26 of Patuxent River, Maryland was arrested for driving while impaired by Cpl. Stone).  In addition the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office License Plate Reader hit on 1 vehicle tag for suspended registration resulting in the driver being issued a citation for operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration and the vehicle being impounded.

During the saturation patrols deputies conducted15 traffic stops and issued 8 citations, 11 warnings, 2 equipment repair orders, checked 2 suspicious persons loitering in a parking lot of a closed business and assisted 1 disabled motorist.  Dfc. Meyers arrested Julie Ann Gore, 51 of California, Maryland for driving while impaired.

Project SOLO (Save Our Loved Ones) is a statewide initiative to combat impaired driving and underage drinking to ultimately save lives and reduce roadway deaths. For more information regarding traffic safety or DUI saturation patrols contact Sgt. Butler.

NOTICE: This data base is a great resource for credit managers, law enforcement and background investigations for private sector as well as government screenings of prospective employees. Those who are impaired are advised not to drive after ingesting drugs or alcohol.

Barefoot in the Park….this driver shows the talent needed to aid the St. Mary’s County Maryland deputy sheriff in determining if she will be given a free ride to the pokey on DWI charges.

If you missed the ABC 7 Washington Special Report
by Jay Korff on the DWIHitParade.com
here it is!

Nancy Lynn Manni
Investigation Discovery Motives & Murders
Features the case of Nancy Lynn Manni, a member of the Seafarer’s International Union
who turned up dead in the Chesapeake Bay in 1993.  What happened? Who killed her?  The show features Ken Rossignol who covered the story in St. Mary’s Today newspaper and DNR Police investigator Dennis Leland who was the investigator trying to track down Manni’s killer.
ID channel explores this case on on Directv channel 285, check local listings for various times. A Body in the Bay - Buy the show now on Amazon $1.99
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The following people were booked in East Baton Rouge from Saturday March 23rd through Friday March 29th for DWI and other charges: (List updated daily)

• Joseph Wilson, 24, 16720 Clenwood Springs St., Greenwell Springs, third-offense DWI and speeding.
• Andrew Baer, 29, 17003 Abita Ave., Prairieville, third-offense DWI, failure to signal, improper turn, driver’s license expired and reckless operation of a vehicle.
• Samuel Liotta, 38, 4268 Woodside Drive, Baton Rouge, second-offense DWI, failure to maintain control and possession of alcohol in vehicle.
• Brian Mau, 26, 2000 Brightside Drive, Baton Rouge, second-offense DWI, reckless operation of a vehicle and driving left of center.
• Jonathan Munn, 29, 3998 North Row Ave., Zachary, second-offense DWI, reckless operation of a vehicle and failure to obey a stop sign or yield sign.
• David Neubig, 49, 5055 Enterprise St., Baton Rouge, second-offense DWI, drinking in a motor vehicle, equipment violation, driver’s license suspended/revoked and reckless operation of a vehicle. …..MORE

  

Project “Saving Our Loved Ones” – St. Patrick’s Day Traffic Enforcement Initiative
According to Deputy Cindy Allen of the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Department, on March 16, 2013 from 10:00 p.m. through March 17, 2013 at 2:00 a.m. the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies in southern Maryland participated in Project “Saving Our Loved Ones” (SOLO).  Project SOLO is a statewide initiative to combat impaired driving and underage drinking to ultimately save lives and reduce roadway deaths.   The operation encompassed two separate driving under the influence saturation patrols.  The first saturation patrol was in the northern end of St. Mary’s County from Mechanicsville to Charlotte Hall with a concentration on the Charles County border.  The other patrol was located in southern St. Mary’s County from Hollywood to California with a concentration on the Calvert County border.
Below are the results of the operation:
Seventy-seven (77) traffic stops;

Forty-four (44) citations;

Forty-five (45) issued warnings;

Five (5) verbal warnings:

Eight (8) Safety Equipment Repair Orders (SERO),

One (1) adult alcohol civil citation,

Two (2) juvenile alcohol civil citations,

One (1) investigation initiated for a business employee’s sale of alcohol to a person under the age of 21 (Dew Drop Inn),

Three (3) Driving under the Influence arrests

One (1) motor vehicle collision with property damage only,

Two (2) criminal arrests (CDS marijuana; resist/interfere with arrest and fail to obey lawful order)

 Arrests:

Jonathan Craig Smith, 28 of Lexington Park, arrested by Cpl. Connelly for driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, suspect marijuana –  Three Notch Road in the vicinity of Chancellors Run Road in California, Maryland.

Full coverage

CL Police Plan Safe Driving Crackdown for St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Patch.com – ‎3 hours ago‎ The Crystal Lake Police Department is urging drivers to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The police department announced plans for the 2013 “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over/Click It or Ticket” crackdown for this St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The intensified …   Pledge to be a sober driver on St. Pat’s Day KRCG – ‎5 hours ago‎ St. Patrick’s Day used to be a time to wear green and look for shamrocks, but it has become a night to celebrate and, for many, a night to drink. That’s why Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) members and law enforcement officials are warning people not …   Sheriff warns motorists to drive safe on St. Patrick’s Day Oneida Dispatch – ‎6 hours ago‎ WAMPSVILLE >> The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 700 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving drunk drivers during St. Patrick’s Day holidays from 2006-10. With that said, as St. Patrick’s Day approaches, …   Heavy Police Presence This St. Patrick’s Day to Catch Drunk Drivers Throughout … San Rafael Police Department (press release) – ‎8 hours ago‎ San Rafael, CA – March 13, 2013 – As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, San Rafael Police Chief Diana Bishop and members of the Avoid the 13 DUI Task Force are urging motorists to plan a safe ride home and never get behind the wheel drunk or drugged.   Don’t test your luck drinking and driving on St. Patty’s Day Chetekalert – ‎10 hours ago‎ As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald urges motorists to plan a safe ride home and never get behind the wheel drunk. During this holiday, Saturday, March 17, law enforcement officials in Barron County will be on high alert, …   Sheriff announces DUI crackdown on St. Patrick’s Day weekend Village News Network – ‎10 hours ago‎ SAN DIEGO – San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore announced that beginning Friday, March 15 at 6 p.m. through St. Patrick’s Day weekend, a special DUI crackdown will take place countywide. “The AVOID the 15 DUI Task Force are urging drivers to plan a …   Moline police urge motorists to celebrate safely this St. Patrick’s Day Quad-Cities Online – ‎12 hours ago‎ Today is Friday, March 14, the 73rd day of 2013. There are 292 days left in the year. 1863 — 150 years ago: George M. Norris, son of Jacob Norris Esq., will start for thegold mines of Boice River in Washington territory on Monday. He will take along …   Barrington Police to Crackdown on Drunk Drivers on St. Pat’s Weekend Patch.com – ‎15 hours ago‎ The Barrington Police Department today announced it will take part in the statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over/Click It or Ticket crackdown by conducting special patrols during this St. Patrick’s Day holiday period to curtail impaired drivers and late-night …   Police plan to increase patrols for St. Patrick’s Day Wisconsin State Journal – ‎17 hours ago‎ Police plan to increase patrols for St. Patrick’s Day. Print Email. 2013-03-13T08:30:00Z Police plan to increase patrols for St. Patrick’s DayBILL NOVAK | bnovak@madison.com madison.com. 12 hours ago • BILL NOVAK | bnovak@madison.com. Find us on …   A holiday reminder from the Madison County Sheriff Utica Observer Dispatch – ‎18 hours ago‎ As St. Patrick’s Day and its associated activities approaches, Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley is urging motorists to plan a safe ride home and never get behind the wheel intoxicated, or impaired by alcohol or drugs. During this time period, law enforcement …   Tipsy St. Pat’s Day revelers could celebrate in jail News-shield – ‎18 hours ago‎ As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Sheriff Fitzgerald is urging motorists to plan a safe ride home and never get behind the wheel drunk. During this holiday law enforcement officials in Barron County will be on high alert, cracking down on drunk drivers as part of …   Police to crack down on drunk driving this St. Patrick’s Day WTKR Your NewsChannel 3 – ‎19 hours ago‎ James City County, Va. – Police are reminding drivers not to drink and drive – and this weekend, enhanced law enforcement officers will focus on drunk and drugged driving. As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Master Police Officer Leslie Sten is urging motorists …   Naperville Police Increase Traffic Enforcement During St. Patty’s Holiday Patch.com – ‎19 hours ago‎ Naperville police said they are increasing their patrols in the days leading up to St. Patrick’s Day in hopes of preventing accidents caused by drunken driving. Get news in your inbox. Sign up for the Patch newsletter. Like Naperville Patch on Facebook.   Plainfield Police on the Lookout for St. Paddy’s Day Drunken Drivers Patch.com – ‎19 hours ago‎ Plainfield police are warning motorists to celebrate safely this St. Patrick’s Day and are conducting a holiday crackdown on drunken drivers and motorists who fail to buckle up. As part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket campaigns, …   Sheriff’s Police on the Lookout for St. Paddy’s Day Drunken Drivers Patch.com – ‎20 hours ago‎ The Will County Sheriff’s Office is conducting special patrols this St. Patrick’s Day to crack down on drunken drivers. Unbuckled motorists will also be ticketed during the campaign. “We are reminding everyone to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click it or …   Glenview Police Offer St. Patrick’s Driving Advice Patch.com – ‎21 hours ago‎ St. Patrick’s Day is Sunday, March 17, and the Glenview Police Department anticipates the potential of more impaired drivers on the road this weekend. “Our officers are aware of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday and with the holiday the potential for an increase in …   Geneseo Police patrols target drunk drivers beginning Friday The Livingston County News – ‎Mar 12, 2013‎ GENESEO — The Geneseo Police Department is participating in the 2013 Safe & Sober Campaign against drunk and impaired driving. The national event begins March 15 and ends on March 18, which will include the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. The Geneseo …   St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Patrols Alton Daily News – ‎Mar 12, 2013‎ We’re heading into the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and police want you to know they will be keeping an eye out for drunk drivers. Motorists should expect to see plenty of cops on Illinois highways and local roads through the weekend. The emphasis will be on …   Safety campaign aims to reduce drunken driving Orland Press Register – ‎Mar 12, 2013‎ As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Orland police Chief J.C. Tolle warns motorists to plan a safe ride home. The Avoid the 6 DUI Task Force will be out watching for impaired drivers as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over safety campaign. “Drunk driving is …   State officials warn motorists to stay sober St. Patrick’s weekend The Albany Herald – ‎Mar 12, 2013‎ ATLANTA, Ga. — The luck of the Irish won’t keep you out of jail for driving drunk, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety warns. Drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, which starts Friday, will be arrested. No warnings; no …   Bayshore-area police warn: Don’t drink this St. Patrick’s Day weekend Asbury Park Press – ‎Mar 12, 2013‎ MIDDLETOWN — Bayshore police departments will be cracking down on drunken driving as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations ramp up. The 10 departments included in the Bayshore Task Force are urging residents to set up designated drivers before starting any …   Police to crack down on drunk drivers this St. Patrick’s Day Tallahassee.com – ‎Mar 12, 2013‎ The Tallahassee Police Department will be on high alert for drunk drivers this St. Patrick’s Day as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Tallahassee Police Chief Dennis Jones is urging motorists to never drive drunk and to plan a safe ride …   Alton police promise St. Patrick’s Day crackdown Alton Telegraph – ‎Mar 12, 2013‎ ALTON – Beginning Thursday, Alton police will be conducting a St. Patrick’s Day holiday crackdown on impaired and unbelted motorists with extra patrols and checkpoints. “We know everyone wants to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends and …   ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ during St. Patrick’s Day weekend Marconews – ‎Mar 12, 2013‎ Area law enforcement officials plan a crackdown on impaired motorists this weekend as part of a national campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has a DUI sobriety checkpoint …

Broderick Crawford starred as Chief Dan Mathews of the HIGHWAY PATROL in 156 episodes of the TV cop show from 1955 to 1959, long before today’s cops were born! Video
 
According to the Idaho State Police, on March 9, 2013 at approximately 207 am, the Idaho State Police conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 20 at milepost 311 near Idaho Falls on a U-Haul truck that was failing to maintain its lane of travel.  The driver was identified as Sergio Javier Varela-Vallecillo (29 YOA) by his Honduras passport and the passenger was identified as Felicia Inez Varela (28 YOA) by her Texas driver’s license.  During the traffic stop, there were discrepancies with the rental agreement and both occupants denied ownership of most of the property in the U-Haul.
A Bonneville County K-9 was dispatched to the traffic stop. 
The K-9 alerted on the U-Haul and during the search approximately 52 pounds of Methamphetamine and 27 pounds of Cocaine were located.   Varela, and Varela-Vallecillo were both arrested and transported to the Bonneville County Jail. 
The jail staff alerted the Idaho State Police that Felicia Inez Varela had an additional 5 grams of Methamphetamine concealed on her person.  Varela, and Varela-Vallecillo were both charged with Felony trafficking of Methamphetamine, and Cocaine. Felicia Inez Varela was also charged with Felony Introducing Methamphetamine into a correctional facility, and Varela-Vallecillo was charged with failure to purchase a drivers license.
The Idaho State Police was assisted on scene by the Bonneville County Sheriff and Idaho State Police detectives.
The estimated street value of the Methamphetamine and Cocaine is approximately $1,000,000 to $1,200,000.

Broderick Crawford footnote: Even actors playing cops drive drunk! Unlike the California Highway Patrol, the agency featured in the TV series was more concerned with chasing criminals than enforcing driving laws. WIth such limited budgets, there were very few car chases, crashes, and other motor mayhem than is more common in modern police dramas; scenes were often filmed on rural two-lane paved or dirt roads to save money and because Crawford’s own driver’s license was suspended for drunk driving.
Clint Eastwood appears in a 1955 first season episode called “Motorcycle A”; he was paid $80.00

The Idaho State Police, local law enforcement and the Idaho Transportation Department are mobilizing in an effort to stop impaired driving March 10th through the 18th.  ISP and numerous local agencies in Southeast Idaho will be stepping up their patrol efforts, safety campaigns, and educational presentations to make our highways and roadways safe for travel.   
The effort is part of Idaho’s Toward Zero Deaths’ goal to someday have no traffic deaths on Idaho’s roads. Traffic deaths are not just numbers. They are family members and friends lost.
During the campaign, officers will be watching for impaired drivers.  They will also check for seat belt use.  
Don’t be fooled if you feel ‘buzzed.’  The ‘buzz’ can get you put in jail by the ‘fuzz!’  It’s not worth the risk.  Not only do you risk injuring or killing yourself or someone else, but the financial costs of an arrest or crash are significant to our society.
In 2010, there were 10,726 DUI arrests in Idaho, and 96 fatalities resulting from impaired driving.  In addition, there were 1,593 impaired driving crashes.  45.9% of all Idaho fatalities in 2010 were the result of impaired driving!
- Whenever you plan on consuming alcohol, designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.

- If you’re impaired, call a taxi, a sober friend, or family member to get you home safely.

- If you go to a bar, check with the workers.  Many local bars have programs to give patrons a free ride home.

- Promptly report suspected drunk drivers you see on roadways to law enforcement.  To contact the Idaho State Police, call *477, or your local law enforcement agency.

- If you know someone who is about to drive impaired, take his or her keys, and help make other transportation arrangements.
Your best defense against drunk drivers is to always wear a seat belt and remain attentive to your surroundings and other drivers.

From WIVB
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Drunk drivers arrested for sometime deadly crashes sometimes are facing their second, third, or fourth conviction of getting behind the wheel inebriated. Is Erie County tough enough on drunk drivers or are they getting off easy?

Charles Elberson has been wondering that ever since his 26-year-old daughter, Jocelyn, was killed by motorcycle driver 53-year-old David Smith on the Amherst bike path. Smith admitted he was drunk when he hit and killed Jocelyn and 81-year-old Sheila Pelton. It was Smith’s fifth DWI.

“My God, I never thought that this would happen to me, or my wife, and my family and it does. Then when you hear that this person has done this multiple times, you just ask yourself, why?” Elberson wondered.

WEB EXTRA | Watch Emily Guggenmos’ full 8-minute interview with Charless Elberson

John Sullivan with Erie County Stop DWI says they’re seeing more people with drinking problems on the road.

“People who are struggling with alcohol, or controlling their consumption of alcohol, or do it on a regular basis are becoming more and more of the people we see being arrested,” said Sullivan.

Each year, Erie County sees 3,500 DWI arrests. Around 1,000 of those are repeat offenders ….MORE