In a collaborative effort, members of local law enforcement recently executed a focused effort to enforce traffic infractions, specifically identifying drivers operating motor vehicles while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Agencies participating were the Saline County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), Bryant Police Department, Benton Police Department, Arkansas State Police and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Through social media, the public was notified in August that there would be an increased enforcement of speed, seat belt and DWI violations.
“More than 17,000 people die and half a million are injured every year from an entirely preventable cause of death, alcohol-related crashes. That’s one death every half hour. Research shows that the best ways to reduce these numbers are high-profile enforcement efforts, especially regularly conducted sobriety checkpoints. Studies found such checkpoints can cut the death toll by 20%,” stated Lt. Jeffery Silk of the SCSO.
As a result of two separate sobriety check points set up at Chicot Road/Kling Road and Highway 5 North/Alcoa Road this coordinated effort resulted with the following:
- 8 DWI arrests
- 2 Drinking in public arrests
- 6 Arrests were made as a result of active warrants
- 2 Drug related arrests
- 15 Citations issued
SCSO Lieutenant Jeffrey Silk stated, “Considering that DWI remains one of the most commonly committed crimes, and that hundreds of thousands of deaths and injuries could be prevented by more concerted enforcement efforts, preventing DWI should be one of our priorities.” It is expected that the SCSO will be teaming up with neighboring jurisdictions for similar operations in the future.