Law enforcement agencies statewide are participating in an intensive cooperative enforcement effort to reduce impaired driving through the close of Labor Day weekend.
These efforts, supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), are part of a national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
In addition to patrols by municipal agencies, sheriff's departments, constables, and the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, the Vermont State Police Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) program is in gear to save lives.
Organizers say many officers have received specialized training in ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement). A select few have received extensive training and are certified nationally as DRE (Drug Recognition Experts).
The push speaks to a reported growing problem with impaired driving cases involving many substances besides alcohol.
A press release on the program notes that nearly half of Vermont's serious-injury and fatal crashes involves impaired drivers. Year to date, authorities say, 26 people have lost their lives on Vermont's highways.
Many more sustained life-changing serious injuries as a result of impaired operation. Among the victims in large number are those who suffered the poor choices, and impaired operation, of others.
Vermont police officers will use state crash and impaired-driving data to identify locations for sobriety and safety checkpoints. These checkpoints will focus on high-risk areas and operate when crashes are likeliest, whether daytime or nighttime, to maximize their effectiveness.