Greene County kicks off ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign

Credit: JIM NOELKER / STAFF

Credit: JIM NOELKER / STAFF

The Greene County Safe Communities Coalition kicked off its annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign Friday evening with activities highlighting the dangers of impaired driving.

The campaign runs through Labor Day on Sept. 3 to help raise awareness and educate the public about driving impaired by drugs or alcohol.

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One of the tools to help educate drivers are “fatal vision goggles,” which allows participants to experience how impairment affects motor skills.

Many drivers don’t realize that impairment is not limited to those “falling down drunk,” he said. It means anyone whose reaction is slowed, said Lt. Matt Schmenk of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Xenia Post.

“Throughout the year, we’re always out there looking for people who are impaired,” he said.

Last year in Greene County there were 16 fatal crashes that resulted in 22 fatalities. Of those, four died from impaired driving, Schmenk said. This year, impaired driving crashes are down 75 percent, with 2 traffic fatalities that have resulted in two deaths.

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Schmenk said he attributes the fewer crashes to better public education, such as the Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

The goal is not to stop people from having a good time, but to be responsible, he said.

“If you plan on going out to drink, it’s always good to have a designated driver ready,” Schmenk said.

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