Area law enforcement prepares to crack down... - KOAM TV 7

Area law enforcement prepares to crack down on drinking and driving over the holidays

The Carl Junction Police Department is preparing to deal with drinking and driving during the holidays.

Law enforcement will be out on the streets for the next six days looking for those that are driving while intoxicated.

Police Chief Delmar Haase says they see more drunk drivers before and during Christmas while people are out having holiday parties then at New Year's time.

"Probably the best thing that can happen to you if you're driving while intoxicated is getting arrested by a policeman because after that it can go downhill, you can have a wreck and be injured, you can have a wreck and injure someone else," says Police Chief Haase.  "Over the years I have had people thank me for stopping them after they realized how intoxicated they were."

Penalties can range anywhere from having your license suspended for 30 days to being charged with involuntary manslaughter and seven years of jail time if you kill someone.