Mesquite Police Department reminds motorists not to drink, drive.

Impaired driving results in 7 deaths in 2016

The Mesquite Police Department is actively reminding motorists not to drink and drive.

Not only is drinking and driving illegal, so far in 2016, seven of the 12 traffic wreck-related deaths in Mesquite have been caused by drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Police say the best policy is to never drink and drive, but if one decides to drink, always have a designated driver on standby or an alternative way home that doesn’t involve getting behind the wheel.

Only time can make a person sober, police said. The average person metabolizes one drink per hour. A drink is defined as 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5-ounces of liquor.

When driving, it is important to be aware of possible drunk drivers on the road. A motorist’s best defense is being aware and observant. If someone sees a car being driven in a dangerous manner, police say to stay away from it and call 911.

Collisions involving a drunk driver are twice as likely to happen on the weekends than on weekdays, and collisions involving a drunk driver are four times more likely to occur at night, according to authorities.

By being responsible drinkers and being aware of one’s surroundings, a motorist can help reduce drug- and alcohol-related fatalities, police said.

Article by Kenny Green of the Mesquite News