September 03, 2008

Labor Day Weekend Enforcement Efforts (McCracken Sheriff and Paducah Police)

Local law enforcement participating in a national campaign titled "Drunk Driving - Over the Limit, Under Arrest" teamed up over the Labor Day weekend in Paducah and McCracken County in an effort to make our roads safer.

"McCracken County has historically had a higher alcohol related crash factor than many other counties in our region. Factors that play a part in those higher numbers include a higher population and the sale of alcohol."

The enforcement efforts included the use of traffic radar and road checks. Officers conducted DUI Safety Checkpoints at locations including Cairo Road at the area of Schmitt Farms, John Puryear Highway and Oaks Road, Oaks Road at I-24, and Clarks River Road near the Clarks River.

Officers from both agencies (assisted at times by the Kentucky State Police) teamed up and worked together at various locations. The joint enforcement effort began on Friday morning and ended on Sunday (May 31) evening.

The numbers provided are combined numbers from both agencies:
DUI ARRESTS 27
SEAT BELT VIOLATIONS 26
SUSPENDED OR NO OPERATORS LICENSE OFFENSES 11
NO INSURANCE VIOLATIONS 22
SPEEDING VIOLATIONS 7
DRUG OFFENSES 12
Highway Safety grants obtained by both agencies helped to fund this joint effort.
"We had no traffic fatalities in our area over the labor day weekend."

In 2007, McCracken County reported 2,390 total collisions, 574 of which were injury collisions, 18 of which resulted in fatalities. 121 of the total number of collisions were alcohol related.

"Last year we experienced a high number of traffic deaths here locally in McCracken County. Some were alcohol and/or drug related. Others involved excessive speed and others driver inattention. These crashes certainly adversely affected area families and we will continue to do what is necessary to keep all of our roads as safe as possible."

End of Release