BOURBON — The Bourbon Police Department announced today, Monday, March 28, the completion of the March 2016 dangerous and impaired driving enforcement campaign. During the 24-day enforcement period, 37 tickets were written, and eight arrests were made within Bourbon Township.

“Dangerous and impaired driving kills,” said Officer Matt Geiger. “It’s a fact we know all too well and it’s why campaigns like this are so important. Putting our officers out in full patrol is key to ridding our roads of unsafe drivers, and even one less dangerous and impaired driver behind the wheel is a success for our state.”

The Bourbon officers made arrests for possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, driving while suspended and reckless driving. There were also 22 speeding citations, five seat belt citations and 10 other traffic violations.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2014, an average of one alcohol related driving fatality occurred every 53 minutes. Further, NHTSA statistics show each year on average, more than 10,000 people die on U.S. roadways, due to intoxicated driving.

“The message of safe and responsible celebration is one we should all share,” said Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Executive Director Dave Murtaugh. “A good mix of education and enforcement, is what makes our efforts successful, efforts we will continue as we work together toward zero distracted and impaired drivers on our roadways.”

Increased enforcement during March is a statewide effort supported by federal highway safety funding. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute distributes funding to more than 250 participating Indiana law enforcement agencies.

For more information on Indiana’s efforts on impaired driving prevention and enforcement, visit this website.