Police cracking down on impaired drivers

The Farmington Police Department received a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Division for participation in the You Drink and Drive, You Lose campaign to stop people from driving impaired over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Enforcement efforts will be increased July 2-5 and will focus on reducing deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired drivers.

“Don’t risk it. If you plan to drink, don’t drive,” said Farmington Chief of Police Rick Baker. “Whether it is your license, your money or your life … You Drink and Drive. You Lose.”

Baker offered several potential consequences for driving while intoxicated:

• For the first conviction, or first in more than five years, your license will be suspended for 30 days followed by a 60-day suspension if a hardship license is not obtained;

• A second conviction results in a $1,000 fine, a year-long revocation of your license and up to a year in jail. You will also be required to install an ignition interlock system on your vehicle, preventing the car from starting when you have alcohol on your breath;

• Third and subsequent convictions can be penalized with up to a $5,000 fine, a 10-year license denial, and up to seven years in jail;

• If you cause a fatal crash while intoxicated you could be charged with involuntary manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both;

• Insurance coverage will be difficult to find and if you do find coverage the rates will be significantly higher.

For more information visit www.saveMOlives.com.