May 20, 2013
November 22, 2005
The holidays often mean family, friends and fun. But Columbia County deputies say they are fighting another holiday tradition, drink and driving. News 12 is on your side to show you how to spot drunk drivers.
Columbia County police are after drunk drivers. They arrest between five and ten every night, and even more on weekends and holidays. This is a scary thought for mother and grandmother Margaret Adams.
“No matter what you say, you can’t bring that loved one back,” Adams said.
She manages juvenile court in Columbia County and knows all too well the impaired driver has a better chance of surviving a crash than the victim.
“Sitting in the court room, I’ve seen the impact it makes not just on the person driving, but the families as well,” Adams said.
Which is why Staff Sergeant Tim Perry is cracking down. Signs he looks out for are weaving, drivers who go slower than the speed limit, and drivers who keep their brights on as they approach oncoming cars. He is on high alert right now because of holiday parties.
“They leave after having a couple of drinks, and we end up pulling them over,” Perry said.
Busy areas are where many are pulled over for DUI. But the back roads are another hotspot. Police say many who drive impaired take them to avoid getting caught.
What you may not realize is your body processes less than one drink per hour, so if you have two in that amount of time, you could be over the legal limit of .08.
One that this is reassuring for Margaret Adams is if you drink and drive, Staff Sergeant Tim Perry is coming after you.
