Extra police patrols out for July Fourth

  Extra law enforcement patrol will be out to ensure the safety of drivers, sober and otherwise, Tuesday, July Fourth.

“Drive sober or you will be pulled over,” a press release by Havre Police Chief Gabe Matosich says.

Extra traffic patrols are funded by the Montana Department of Transportation

Impaired drivers are involved in three out of 10 fatal crashes in Montana, and 28 people a day die daily in the U.S. in alcohol-related crashes, the release says.

People are encouraged to plan ahead, steps that may include designating a sober driver, taking public transportation, or offering nonalcoholic drinks to better ensure the safety of others.

“If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is above zero, your vision, reflexes and reasoning may be impaired, and you should not be driving,” Matosich says.

The illegal BAC threshold in all 50 states is .08. Anyone pulled over and found to have a BAC of .08 or higher will be charged with driving under the influence, will have their license revoked and could receive jail time and be fined up to $10,000, the release says.

“It’s a holiday — people are going to celebrate,” Matosich says. “As a community, it’s our job to look out for one another and make sure everyone is aware of both the consequences and alternatives to drinking and driving.”

Havre Police Assistant Chief Jason Barkus said one person was pulled over and charged with a driving under the influence charge last year and one with a hit-and-run.

“The extra patrols our holiday weekends are really an effective deterrent to criminal activity, which includes also impaired driving,” Barkus said.