McALESTER — Don’t drink and drive, and lock your vehicles – two pieces of valuable advice from area law enforcement for the upcoming holiday weekend.

With fair weather forecasts and low prices at the pump, local and state law enforcement agencies predict increased travel for the Labor Day weekend.

“It’s the last major holiday of the summer,” said McAlester Police Det. Capt. Gary Wansick. “We tend to see an increase in the number of alcohol-related incidents. I know the patrol division will be targeting drunk driving offenders.”

On another note, Wansick stressed that the McAlester area has seen an increase in burglaries of vehicles, and added that a holiday weekend with increased activity will be a prime time for more thefts.

“People are leaving their cars unlocked, and thieves are just opening the door and removing any money or electronics they see, such as GPS and cell phones,” he said. “In addition to encouraging safe driving and seatbelts, we’re urging people to lock their cars when they park.”

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol will be out in  force this weekend, too, according to OHP spokesman Capt. Chris West.

“OHP Troopers will be out in full force this weekend, patrolling our highways and waterways, and will be paying special attention to drunk drivers, speeders and those not wearing seatbelts, as well as any reckless activity on lakes,” West said.

He added that OHP is participating in the national “Drunk Driving – Over the Limit – Under Arrest” campaign, which began Aug. 20 and ends Sept. 6. This event focuses on the importance of getting impaired drivers off the road.

“This year we are asking the public to join us in our efforts to rid our roadways of drunk drivers,” West continued. “We urge motorists to report erratic driving by calling *55 on their cell phones, and to provide a description of the vehicle, its location and direction of travel.”

The OHP will also be participating in Operation CARE, or Combined Accident Reduction Effort, for the Labor Day holiday, an event which begins at 6 p.m. Friday and runs through midnight on Monday, West said. According to a state report, during the 2009 Labor Day holiday, nine people were killed and 301 were injured on Oklahoma roads.

“Five of the nine fatality victims in 2009 were not wearing safety belts, and four of the seven fatality crashes were alcohol related,” West said. “We always stress the importance of seatbelts and not drinking and driving, but people still fail to listen.”

“Thousands of Oklahomans will spend the holiday on area lakes,” added Troop Commander of the OHP Lake Patrol Division Capt. Mike Mize. “We encourage our citizens to follow a few simple safety tips. Boaters should have the required equipment, such as life jackets, personal flotation devices, fire extinguisher and navigation lights after sunset. Every child 12 or under is required to wear a life jacket.”

The majority of boating crashes are the result of inattention and alcohol consumption, Mize explained. Stressors on the water such as the glare of the sun and heat intensify the effects of alcohol, he said.

“It is just as dangerous to operate water craft while intoxicated as it is to operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated,” Mize said. “The penalties are the same, including jail time, loss of your driving privileges, fines and court costs.

“Please keep a proper lookout while under way and watch for children in the water at all times, especially when near shores or docks,” he advised.

“This is the time of year when thousands of families pack up their vehicles and head out on vacation. Once the barbecue is over, you still have to get home safely,” West added. “Alcohol was a contributing factor in 13 percent of the 465 crashes during the 2009 Labor Day holiday. Please do your part to ensure your trip ends up in your family scrapbook and not in our logbook. Slow down, buckle up and don’t drink and drive.”



Contact Mandy Carter at mcarter@mcalesternews.com.