By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — In an effort to combat drunk and impaired driving, a federal grant totaling more than $440,000 has been distributed to 52 Maine police agencies across the state, including Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Houlton and Presque Isle.
The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety dispersed the federal money this month and launched a program they are calling DriveSober, Maine! The crackdown is designed to stop impaired drivers and to save lives on Maine roads this holiday season and throughout next year.
“Alcohol related traffic deaths doubled in the first six months of 2012, with 32 OUI deaths compared to 15 deaths during the same period in 2011. The numbers were alarming and a call to action,” said Lauren Stewart, director of the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety.
Caribou Police Chief Michael Gahagan advised that Caribou’s share of the grant, $9,900, will be used for extra patrols and safety checks during times and at locations where drunk driving is most common.
“The safety checks take just a couple of seconds and you are on your way,” Gahagan noted. “We notify the public when these checks will be conducted. Unfortunately, we always catch someone driving impaired.”
According to Gahagan, the impaired driving statistics for the Caribou area remain about the same as last year.
“Except 40-45 percent are drug-related,” Gahagan added. “Under the influence is under the influence, whether it’s drugs or alcohol.”
The DriveSober, Maine! effort kicked off Dec. 1 and runs through Labor Day of 2013. In addition, a special holiday enforcement crackdown began Dec. 14 and continues through New Year’s Day. That holiday effort coincides with a national campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Gahagan expressed his gratitude for the additional funding and said the goal of Caribou’s campaign is to ultimately reduce the amount of people who are driving impaired. He believes it’s important for people to understand that, like the current public service ads state, “buzz” driving is drunk driving.
“People who don’t get it, we will be getting them,” Gahagan warned.
The chief also stressed that being caught for a drunk driving offense can result in some serious repercussions, such as loss of job, hefty fines and possible jail time.
“But our main concern,” Gahagan added, “is the safety aspect. Lives can be lost or ruined.”
Gahagan recommends drivers use common sense before getting behind the wheel. Designating a sober driver and not letting someone you know is intoxicated drive are also key factors in making sure a holiday celebration does not turn into a disaster. Also, a taxicab fare is a small price to pay to save a life, possibly your own. And some Caribou area towing companies offer a free tow on New Year’s Eve if needed.
