St. Louis County, Missouri - The St. Louis County Police Department will be cracking down on impaired drivers through participation in the "You Drink & Drive. You Lose." campaign to stop people from driving while impaired. Enforcement efforts will be increased August 21 through September 7, 2009 and will focus on reducing deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired drivers.

"Impaired driving is one of the most often-committed violent crimes, randomly killing or injuring someone in Missouri every one and one-half hours," stated Chief Fitch. "These tragedies are preventable when drivers make a simple, smart choice not to drink and drive."

Consider some of the consequences if you are caught driving while intoxicated:

For the first conviction (or first conviction in over five years), your license will be suspended for 30 days followed by a 60-day suspension if a hardship license is not obtained.

A second conviction results in a $1,000 fine, a yearlong revocation of your license and up to a year in jail.

Minors may additionally be subject to a Minor in Possession Citation, resulting in license suspension for 90 days for a first offense.

If you cause a fatal crash while intoxicated, you could be charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years of jail time, a $5,000 fine or both.

Insurance coverage will be difficult to find and if you do the rates will be significantly higher.

Media Relations Staff:

Police Officer Rick Eckhard 615-4282

Sergeant Norman Mann 615-3928

Lieutenant Mike Dierkes 615-0184

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