Law Enforcement Agencies Make More Than 800
Arrests During Statewide DUI Crackdown

Indianapolis, IN. – More than 250 state and local law enforcement agencies made a total of 809 DUI arrests during the 2009 Drunk Driving. Over The Limit. Under Arrest. Labor Day crackdown on impaired driving. This federally funded, high-visibility enforcement campaign focused specifically on detecting impaired drivers and motorcycle riders. During the two-week crackdown, participating law enforcement agencies dedicated more than 9,000 overtime hours towards removing impaired drivers and motorcyclists off Indiana roadways.

“I am confident that the efforts of our traffic safety partners succeeded in creating safer roadways for all Hoosiers this Labor Day,” said T. Neil Moore, executive director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). “They should be commended for the untold number of lives that were most likely saved as a result.”

In 2008, there were 246 alcohol-related fatalities that occurred on Indiana roadways. In an effort to decrease the number of alcohol-related fatalities on Indiana roadways this year, law enforcement agencies deployed key strategies to detect impaired motorists, such as high-visibility saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints.

While officers were primarily on the lookout for impaired drivers, other significant arrests were made during the crackdown, including: drug possession, illegal possession of handguns and outstanding warrants. Additionally, citations were issued for traffic violations such as failure to wear a seat belt, speeding, and failure to use proper child restraints.

“These crackdowns provide those of us in public safety with an opportunity to be more engaged with those we serve. The combination of traffic safety education, awareness and enforcement promotes safer communities and inspires positive behavioral changes behind the wheel needed to save more lives on Indiana roadways each year,” Moore added.

Following is an abbreviated listing of significant events that occurred throughout the state during the DUI crackdown:

County
Department
Significant Event

Hancock
Greenfield PD
Officer involved in a 15 mile pursuit of a possible drunk driver that resulted in the arrest of a nine year old child who had taken his parents vehicle.

Marshall
Marshall County Sheriff Department
Several arrests made on misdemeanor possession of marijuana, outstanding felony warrants, driving while suspended, reckless driving and felony possession of a methamphetamine lab.

Tippecanoe
Tippecanoe County Traffic Safety Partnership
Made a total of 22 OWI arrests with two of them being felonies.

Floyd
New Albany PD
Fugitive for sexual battery apprehended after traffic stop; several narcotics arrests made.

Lake
Lake County PD
Intoxicated driver stopped, subject had a prior suspension and should have had an interlock device on the vehicle; juvenile arrested on possession of 102 grams of marijuana.

Allen
Allen County Sheriff Department
Vehicle stopped on interstate going 110 m.p.h. Driver was intoxicated.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) serves as the state’s planning agency for criminal justice, juvenile justice, traffic safety, and victim services. The Institute develops long-range strategies for the effective administration of Indiana’s criminal and juvenile justice systems and administers federal and state funds to carry out these strategies.