Issue date: 7/3/08 Section: News

To test people's blood alcohol content in the field, officers use the standardized field sobriety test notebook and the portable breath test. "It's not the official test we use in jail to determine the blood alcohol level, but if you fail some of the tests for balance, this will let us know if you are safe to be driving," said University Police Officer Ryan Risinger. (Erin Matheny/The Daily Eastern News)

When people attend social gatherings on July 4, they better watch how much they drink before they go behind the wheel.

The Charleston Police department and Eastern's University Police Department are collaborating to combat drunk driving.

"We will show zero tolerance," UPD Officer Ryan Risinger said.

According to various studies, July 4 is the second deadliest day of the year on America's roadways.

In 2006, 27 percent of all drivers involved in traffic crashes nationwide during the July 4 holiday period possess a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.

"Too often, July 4 can be a deadly and dangerous time on our roads because of impaired driving," Risinger said.

"That's why starting today and running through July 6, local departments will be on patrol to catch and arrest anyone who is driving while impaired."

Risinger said that party hosts have to be careful in how much alcohol they serve their guests.

If someone a host serves gets into a drunk driving accident, the host could be held liable under the Social Hosts Alcohol Liability.

Risinger said a designate driver or a sober friend should drive intoxicated guests home.

If someone is suspected of being drunk, prevent him or her from driving.

The local crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation's Divison of Traffic Safety. The media campaign "You Drink & Drive. You Lose" is also a sponsor.



Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7942 or at rtbajek@eiu.edu.

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