Rensselaer, IN – The Rensselaer Police Department will ramp up impaired driving enforcement this month as part of a statewide effort to reduce traffic fatalities and keep roads safe.
According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), officers will increase patrols and conduct sobriety checkpoints from Aug. 16 through Aug. 30 as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The initiative aims to raise awareness that impaired driving—whether due to alcohol, drugs, or even certain medications—is both illegal and dangerous.
“Our top priority is keeping our roads and our community safe,” Police Chief Matthew Anderson said in the announcement. “The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it kills. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: help us protect the community and put an end to this dangerous behavior.”
Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows that in 2024, nearly 14% of all traffic fatalities in Indiana involved alcohol, while more than 35% were linked to drug impairment. ICJI Executive Director Douglas Huntsinger urged drivers to plan ahead, stressing that a safe ride is always the right choice.
The department encourages motorists to arrange for a designated driver, use a rideshare or taxi, and intervene if a friend is considering driving impaired. Anyone spotting a suspected impaired driver should pull over safely and contact local law enforcement.
More information on impaired driving prevention can be found at www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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