CPD increases DWI enforcement

Posted to Police Beat by Alicia Stice at 10:46 a.m., May 5, 2010

Columbia drivers can expect increased enforcement of impaired driving laws May 5 through May 9, a Columbia Police Department news release stated. These efforts will include a sobriety checkpoint within city limits from about 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. during the enforcement period.

“It’s never worth the risk to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” Columbia DWI Enforcement Unit Officer Chris Hessenflow said in the release. “Whether it is your license, your money or your life: you drink and drive, you lose.”

First time offenders convicted of a DWI have their license suspended for 30 days, followed by a 60-day suspension if a hardship license is not obtained, the news release stated.

People convicted a second time face a $1,000 fine, a year-long revocation of their license, up to a year in jail and installation of an ignition interlock system on their vehicles, preventing the car from starting if they have alcohol on their breath.

Third and subsequent convictions can be penalized with a fine of up to $5,000, a 10-year license denial and up to seven years in prison, the news release stated.

People who cause fatal crashes while intoxicated can face charges of involuntary manslaughter, a $5,000 fine or both, the news release stated.