FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2003

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8409

SCDPS, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT KICK OFF

DRUNKEN DRIVING CAMPAIGN TO RUN FROM DEC. 19-JAN. 4

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety today joined local law enforcement across the state and nation in preparation for a wave of strict law enforcement and an aggressive public information campaign to protect motorists this holiday season by taking drunken drivers off South Carolina roadways.

The South Carolina Sober or Slammer campaign is held in conjunction with the national National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month – You Drink and Drive. You Lose campaign.

Beginning this week, state and Local law enforcement agencies will begin conducting planned public safety checkpoints and saturation patrols across the state looking for  impaired drivers and other traffic violators. 

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies will also be joining Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and other highway safety advocates to spread the word about the dangers of drunken driving. DPS and local law enforcement held kickoff media events today in Lexington, Charleston, Spartanburg and Conway. DPS also is launching two paid television spots, radio spots and outdoor advertising to call attention to the campaign.

“Last year in South Carolina, 428 people were killed in 387 collisions with a contributing factor of DUI,” said DPS Director B. Boykin Rose. “Designating sober drivers, conducting public safety checkpoints and saturation patrols are just a few of the ways we can work together with the public to remove intoxicated drivers from South Carolina’s roadways.”

A tougher DUI law took effect on August 19 in South Carolina. Under the new legislation, the BAC level for an inference of being under the influence dropped from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent. Under the new law, if motorists have a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher, it will be inferred that they are driving under the influence. 

The penalties for drinking and driving also increased under the new law. Additional assessments and surcharges have increased fines dramatically. For a first offense DUI conviction, the fine, including assessments, is $992. The maximum fine for a second offense increases from $5,100 to $10,744 and the maximum fine for a third offense increases from $6,300 to $13,234. The maximum felony DUI fines increase from $10,100 (great bodily injury) to $21,119 and from $25,100 (death) to $52,244. The new law also carries an additional penalty for South Carolina residents convicted of second offense DUI: suspension of the registration and license plate for every vehicle they own for 30 days. 

“DUI is a criminal offense,” said Highway Patrol Col. Russell Roark. “There is no single profile of a drunken driver, and there is no preferential treatment given to DUI offenders. Whether you are a mother or father, a minister, teacher or public servant, you will be treated the same under the law.”

Violators can lose their licenses, time from their jobs, and money in high fines and court costs. They can also face imprisonment for repeat offenses, assault and vehicular manslaughter. 

** For more information about the SOS campaign, please log on to http://www.soberorslammer.com/ and for information on the national campaign: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.

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SI/DPS/107/03