Crime & Safety
Peabody Police Cracking Down on Drunk Drivers
The nationwide effort runs through Labor Day weekend and reminds motorists of the personal, legal and financial consequences of driving while under the influence.
Peabody police are joining 125 other Bay State law enforcement agencies through Labor Day weekend to crack down on drunk drivers as part of a national initiative called "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."
Police say impaired driving is one of America’s most common and deadliest crimes -- there is one related fatality every 53 minutes. In Massachusetts, 114 people died as a result of impaired driving incidents in 2011, they say.
Police also remind the motoring public that there's a hefty financial burden as well -- drunk drivers can easily pay more than $5,000 for a first offense between legal fees, increased insurance rates and lost income. Violators can also face jail time or loss of their license.
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“Twice as many alcohol-impaired crashes occur over the weekend and four times as many occur at night; we will be especially vigilant during these high-risk times when impaired drivers are most likely to be on our roads,” said Police Chief Robert Champagne. He says his department will be intensifying enforcement during the campaign.
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