KOSCIUSKO — Over 24 days, Kosciusko County Traffic Safety Partnership issued 52 citations and made 13 arrests during St. Patrick’s Day, college spring break and the first rounds of NCAA Tournament. 

In 2017, the weekend beginning St. Patrick’s Day had the highest number crashes involving impaired drivers. Federal traffic safety funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute supported random patrols, saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints for more than 230 law-enforcement agencies across the state.

“Enforcement of traffic laws is focused on preventing crashes, injuries and deaths in our community,” said Craig Allebach, grant administrator. “As we look ahead to celebrating Easter, the final four and the rest of spring break, make sure your plans include a sober driver and extra stopping distance.”

In every state, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. In Indiana, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 are subject to fines and a license suspension for up to 1 year.

The top causes of all Indiana traffic crashes are drivers following too closely and failing to yield the right of way. Aggressive, distracted and impaired driving reduce reaction times to unexpected slowed traffic, bicycles and pedestrians.

Experience different perspectives on an impaired-driving crash scene in 360 degrees at https://on.in.gov/nobigdeal.