Starting this week drivers in the Golden Triangle can expect to see even more local law enforcement in the cities and on the highways.
Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety are partnering with local law enforcement agencies – including Columbus and Starkville police departments – for the annual National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which will start Friday and run through Sept. 1.
MHP Sgt. Derrick Beckom said the campaign isn’t just meant to catch people breaking the law. It’s meant to be educational, he said, and hopefully encourage safe driving.
“We want the public to be aware that the campaign is going on, and hopefully that alone will deter anyone from being on the highway under the influence,” Beckom said.
The increased enforcement efforts typically occur around major holidays, like Labor Day and Christmas, to deter drunk driving and to educate drivers on the dangers of driving under the influence, NHTSA’s website said.
The additional overtime patrols and sobriety checkpoints from the campaign do typically yield more arrests, but that’s not the goal for officers, Beckom said.
“We’re not against people having anything to drink and to celebrate special occasions,” Beckom said. “… But it’s just important to us … that there’s no one on the highways under the influence.”
Columbus Police Department will also perform additional patrols and sobriety checkpoints in the city as part of the campaign. CPD Public Information Officer Bryan Moore said the department hopes the joint effort will showcase the importance of not drinking and driving and prevent future accidents.
“I think once the citizens see that we are partnering … then they’ll know that it is more serious once they see local law enforcement coming together,” Moore said.
Starkville Police Department Cpl. Joinay Watts, with the DUI enforcement unit, said the effort is important because while drinking and driving is dangerous, it is also preventable.
“It’s not just about writing tickets,” she said. “It’s about making sure lives are saved by encouraging responsible decisions before somebody gets behind the wheel.”
To stay safe around the upcoming holiday season, Beckom recommends anyone who has been drinking ensure their own safety by either having a designated driver or taking a ride service rather than trying to drive themselves home.
“(We’re) wanting the public to be responsible with their actions, because we’re going to be out there, and we’re letting you know that we’re going to be out there,” Beckom said. “… Don’t give us that opportunity to stop you and you’re under the influence you can take full control of that situation.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
