FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2001
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

SCDPS, MADD KICK OFF DRUNKEN DRIVING CAMPAIGNS

COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety teamed up with MADD South Carolina today to announce their joint efforts to help stamp out one of the state’s and nation’s leading killers - drunken driving. The Highway Patrol announced its campaign "Operation Sober or Slammer," a new enforcement effort targeting drunken driving. MADD also kicked off its annual Tie One on for Safety campaign today.

"Too many times, people fail to calculate the costs before they get behind the wheel after drinking too much," said Highway Patrol Col. Mike Kelley. "With Sober or Slammer, we want to remind them of the very real consequences. You drink and drive, you go to jail. Period."

Drunken driving fatalities are one of the leading causes of deaths on our highways and continue to increase. There were 154 alcohol-related fatalities in 1999 and 170 in 2000 -- a 10 percent increase. DPS is beginning this campaign during the Thanksgiving holidays because this is traditionally one of the deadliest holiday weeks for travel.

The SOS campaign will involve teams of troopers in each district who will focus on increased enforcement in areas with a high number of alcohol-related fatalities, conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols over the next year.

Also, DPS will work to educate the public about the financial costs of drinking and driving (see below for drunken driving penalties).

DPS and local law enforcement throughout the state also are joining the national Operation ABC (America Buckles Up Children) Mobilization, which begins today and continues through Thanksgiving weekend. Officers throughout the state and nation will be out in force strictly enforcing safety belt, child safety seat and DUI laws.

If you are convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, you face:

First offense: A fine of $300 or imprisonment from 48 hours to 30 days and suspension of driver’s license for six months.

Second offense: A fine of $2,000 to $5,000 and imprisonment from 48 hours to one year and suspension of driver’s license for one year.

Third offense: A fine of $3,500 to $6,000 and imprisonment from 60 days to three years and suspension of driver’s license for two years.

Fourth or subsequent offense: Imprisonment from one to five years and permanent revocation of driver’s license.

If you are convicted of driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs and causing great bodily injury to any other person, you face a mandatory fine of $5,000 to $10,000 and imprisonment for 30 days to 15 years.

If you are convicted of driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs and causing death to any other person, you face a mandatory fine of $10,000 to $25,000 and imprisonment for one to 25 years.

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