JEFFERSON COUNTY - Jefferson County Sheriff's Office will be stepping up the fight against impaired driving after receiving a grant to fund a DWI enforcement unit. The grant increases the number of law enforcement officers that will concentrate on detecting and removing impaired drivers from Jefferson County roads.

The Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division contracted with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in October 2009 to create the DWI enforcement unit, which consists of three deputies and four fully equipped vehicles.

"The new unit demonstrates Jefferson County's commitment to keeping our roadways safe," said Sheriff Oliver Boyer. "These deputies will be looking for impaired drivers and getting them off the road before they cause a traffic crash."

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office will participate in the statewide impaired driving mobilization this weekend, March 12-14, for St. Patrick's Day. Statewide DWI enforcement campaigns are held five times throughout the year on dates selected by the Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council (LETSAC) based on holidays with a large number of alcohol-involved social activities.

During the 2009 St. Patrick's Day impaired driving mobilization from March 13-15, law enforcement officers statewide issued 467 driving while intoxicated violations. In addition, citations were issued for 1,752 speeding tickets, 518 safety belt and 30 child restraint violations.

Law enforcement agencies that participate in these campaigns can receive overtime funding from the Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division. 

In 2009, 268 people were killed and 1,134 were seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes involving an impaired driver.

For more information about impaired driving, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

###