By Staff
Melissa Cason
When you drive south on Highway 43, you should notice something a little different at the intersection of Highway 24 as the Franklin County Sheriff's Department has placed a reminder of what driving drunk can cause.
The crashed car with the green sign stating "DUI Kills" was placed at the intersection last weekend and will remain there through the holiday season.
"We want it to serve as a reminder to holiday travelers what can happen when you choose to drive while impaired," Sheriff Larry Plott said.
According to statistics, Alabama reported 7,351 crashes involving a impaired drivers or pedestrians during 2000, and alcohol was a factor in 36 percent of Alabama's crash costs during that year.
In Alabama, a person with a blood alcohol concentration of more than .08 is considered drunk.
In 2000, 52 people were killed and 1,100 were injured in accidents involving a person with a BAC lower than .08. During that same year, 35,000 crashes were caused by drivers with a BAC of .10. Of those crashes, 326 people died and 1,100 were injured.
Plott said that with the holidays being here, alcohol may be served at many different functions so drivers need to be careful about how much they drink.
Russellville Police Department is also stepping up patrols this holiday season with its traffic overtime offered through grant money.
Capt. Shannon Oliver said the department will have extra officers out through the New Year to help monitor traffic, and site traffic offenders including those who are driving under the influence.
The story is the same in Red Bay, and Police Chief Pat Creel and the police department is increasing the patrols during the holiday season.
"We always step things up during the holiday season," Creel said. "We ask that everyone slow down and take their time. Being involved in an accident is no way to spend your holiday."