​
 
December 17, 2015
Cpl. Joseph Paull – Arkadelphia Police Department
870-246-4545 – jpaull@cityofarkadelphia.com
 
 
Drunk Driving Ruins the Holidays
Police Aim to Save Lives With‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’
 
Arkadelphia - If you’re enjoying the holidays with a drink, Cpl. Joseph Paull has a message for you:Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Due to the increase in drunk-driving-related fatalities around the holidays each year, law enforcement agencies across America will be actively searching for and arresting drunk drivers from December 18 to January 3.
 
The intensified enforcement effort directed toward drunk drivers underscores the severity of the problem, both locally and nationally.  During the calendar year 2014 the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) recorded 9,967 deaths in motor vehicle crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.  Arkansas recorded 135 deaths as a result of alcohol-related crashes during the same reporting period.
 
“It’s time for all drivers to get the message,” said Cpl. Joseph Paull.  “Drunk driving is a choice you make, and when you make that choice, people get hurt or die. That’s why we’re joining with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to share the message: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” The safest way to get home, Cpl. Joseph Paullsaid, is to drive sober or catch a ride with a sober designated driver. If you plan on drinking at the holiday party or at a restaurant, hand the keys over to someone else – a sober friend, a taxi or public transportation.
 
As part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign period, police will be increasing the number of patrols, setting up roadblocks, and using local media to reach out to all drivers. If you’re drinking and driving, Arkadelphiapolice will stop you. If you’re caught drinking and driving you could face jail time, fines, loss of driver’s license, towing fees, and other DWI expenses, totaling $10,000 on average. That’s not a small price, and that doesn’t even count the heftier price you could pay: the price of your life or someone else’s.
 
Some people think that if they get pulled over for driving drunk, they can just refuse a breath test to avoid the DWI charge. “Not true,” saidCpl. Joseph Paull. “In most jurisdictions, refusing a breath test means an automatic arrest, and the loss of your driver’s license on the spot.” The only way to truly avoid a DWI is to drive sober or designate a sober driver ahead of time. Cpl. Paulladdedthat there are other options, such as calling a friend, family member, using public transportation, or calling a taxi. The cost of cab fare is nothing compared to a $10,000 DWI or the cost of someone’s life, and the ‘inconvenience’ of not driving your own car home is nothing compared to the inconvenience of spending the holidays behind bars.
 
 
Arkadelphiadrivers, please follow these tips to keep the holidays safe and happy:
 

• Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk—or worse, the risk of having a crash.
• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving.Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.
• If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, use public transportation.

 
      Remember, driving after drinking should never be an option.Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

 

Director Julian Jaeger's resignation letter was accepted by the Arkadelphia Board of Directors last night, leaving his seat vacant.  Anyone interested in filling the term of the Board of Directors Ward 5 vacancy term, expiring December 31, 2016 should send a letter of interest to the City Clerk’s office at 700 Clay Street Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923. 

​Any applicants that are more than 21 years of age, have resided within Ward 5 of the municipality for at least 30 days, and is qualified to vote at an election of county or state Officers shall be deemed a qualified elector. All letters must be received in the Clerk’s office by January 15th, 2016, 5 p.m. Applicants will introduce themselves at the January 19th, 2016 meeting at 6:30 and the Board of Directors will then name the person to fill the term.