In the four days since the El Dorado Police Department launched a high-visibility enforcement effort targeting impaired drivers during the holiday season, officers have made two DWI arrests, including a man who rear-ended one of their own.
Officers are urging citizens to celebrate the Yuletide season responsibly or possibly spend the holidays behind bars.
In other words, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
For the third time this year, the EPD has teamed up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other law enforcement agencies around the nation in a Drive Sober campaign, in which officers adopt a zero-tolerance stance to help spread the message about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving and to help people stay safe while traveling on the nation’s roadways.
Other Drive Sober campaigns held earlier this year were scheduled around the Fourth of July and Labor Day, both of which are busy travel periods.
The third mobilization effort, which got under way Dec. 12 and will end Jan. 1, focuses on the holiday season, one of the most festive and hectic times of the year — and sadly, one of the most deadliest times of the year on the road.
The sobering message that law enforcement officers want to impress upon people is that impaired driving is not only illegal, “it can quite often be a matter of life and death,” Lt. Kenny Hickman of the EPD said.
In December 2017, nearly 900 people died on traffic crashes involving drunk drivers on the nation’s roadways, according to the NHTSA.
“I’d like to ask our citizens to take an extra minute and let the numbers sink in,” Hickman cautioned.
“During last December alone, 885 family members — fathers, mothers, grandparents and children — lost their lives,” he continued. “For their family members, the festive sights and sounds of the season will always be accompanied by memories of a lost loved one. It is preventable and our citizens have the ability to make those life saving choices.”
Local residents have likely noticed an increased police presence on city streets within the past few days, Hickman said, adding that the EPD is asking residents to work with officers to reduce impaired driving as they celebrate the holiday season.
“We understand that during the holidays, people are running around, busily checking off items on their to-do list and attending parties,” he said. “Have a great holiday season. Law enforcement is not here to dampen that enthusiasm but to enhance the safety of everyone.”
While drunk driving remains a major issue in the U.S., Hickman said law enforcement officers have also seen a rise in the number of drivers who are jumping behind the wheel after consuming marijuana and other drugs.
“Impaired driving of any form is not acceptable behavior. That’s why, during the December holidays, we will make zero exceptions for drunk driving. There are just no excuses,” he said.
Two El Dorado residents were arrested for DWI in two separate accidents that occurred Sunday.
Sammie L. Burgie, 71, of 2818 N. College, was arrested on suspicion of DWI, following too close, failure to submit to a blood-alcohol concentration test and no proof of insurance after he reportedly rear-ended an EPD officer in her personal vehicle.
The accident was reported just before 2 p.m. at the intersection of Calion Road and Ninth.
Burgie was reportedly traveling west on Ninth when he struck the officer, Corporal LaTisha Heard, from behind while she was stopped for a stop sign at the intersection.
He admitted having drunk alcoholic beverages, according to a police report. Police said Burgie failed several field sobriety tests and portable breathalyzer showed he had a BAC of o 0.21, more than twice the legal driving limit of 0.08.
No injuries were reported in the accident.
Two people were transported to Medical Center of South Arkansas for minor injuries in an accident that was reported at 3:48 p.m. on the same day at the intersection of Jackson and Beech.
Gidget J. Webb told officers she was traveling north on Jackson when she struck the right rear quarter panel of a truck that was driven by Eduardo Villegas.
Villegas said he was driving east on Beech and had stopped at the intersection of Jackson before proceeding east when Webb struck his vehicle.
Police noted that an odor of “intoxicants” emanated from Webb’s vehicle.
Webb and Villegas were transported to MCSA, where Webb told officers that she had drunk alcoholic beverages.
Police said Webb, 52, of 241 Rushwood Road, was cited for DWI and refusal to submit to a BAC/chemical test.
Party with a plan
Hickman said such accidents can be avoided if people would heed the Drive Sober message, especially while celebrating the holiday season.
“On behalf of our local law enforcement officers, I’d like to ask our citizens and guests to party with a plan,” he said. “A bit of pre-planning and responsible forethought will help ensure this holiday season will be full of fond memories for yourself and others.”
Hickman shared some reminders from the NHTSA:
• First and foremost: Plan ahead and be honest with yourself. You know whether you’ll attend a party. If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously. Your friends are relying on you.
• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use a ride service to get home safely.
• Use your community’s resources. Call a friend, a taxi or ride-sharing service. Those options are far less expensive and much safer than trusting your own judgment regarding whether you are truly impaired.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the EPD. Hickman said there will be patrol officers singularly dedicated to the detection of impaired drivers during the Drive Sober period, Dec. 14 - Jan. 1.
• Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely. He or she may complain or seek to minimize the need. However, true friends don’t let friends drive drunk.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.