The Joplin Police Department will be joining law enforcement officers across Missouri who are letting everyone know that they will be cracking down on drunk drivers with increased enforcement July 3-7, 2008.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety want you to consider some of the consequences if you choose to drive while intoxicated:

• If you cause a fatal crash while intoxicated, you can be charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years of jail time, a $5,000 fine or both.

• Your license can be suspended for 90 days on your first conviction. You could be fined up to $500 and spend up to six months in jail.

• A second conviction results in a yearlong revocation of your license. You could be fined up to $1,000 and spend up to one year in jail.

• Minors may additionally be subject to a Minor in Possession citation, resulting in license suspension for 90 days for a first offense. This is in addition to any suspension resulting from point assessment on an alcohol conviction.

• Insurance coverage will be difficult to find and your rates will be significantly higher.

The blood alcohol limit for drunken drivers was lowered from 0.10 to 0.08 percent in 2001 when then Gov. Bob Holden signed the law. For a chart on calculating blood-alcohol levels go here.

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