Local law enforcement urges safe driving as impaired driving cases rise in December

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other substances.

Drunk driving cases often rise in December due to increased social gatherings during the holidays.

According to the United States Department of Transportation, in December 2023 alone, 1,038 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.

Sgt. Shane Hux said the Missouri State Highway Patrol steps up enforcement during the holiday period.

"All available troopers will be working, especially during Christmas and New Year's, because we know it's more prevalent for alcohol violations to occur during those times," he said.

Zack Craft, a DWI enforcement deputy with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, urged people not to drive impaired if they plan to drink at holiday gatherings.

"Please have a driver who is not going to be drinking, have a sober driver. If you need to call an Uber, please do that. If you need to call a taxi, please do that," he said. "There's plenty of services, and especially here in 2025 with Uber and Lyft and taxis and tow truck drivers, that will come and tow your car for a discounted rate."

Craft said a lot of people think one or two drinks won't affect them.

"Studies have shown that even one drink can affect your ability to operate a motor vehicle, especially with marijuana," Craft said. "You see a lot of people that say, 'I drive better while I'm high,' and that's just not true. If you are impaired by marijuana, you are not safe to drive."

Hux hammered the fact that impairment can affect a driver's reaction time.

"It's going to affect your judgment, your perception in the action that you take. It's going to be a delayed response," Hux said.

During cold and flu season, Hux said it is especially important to pay attention to your medications, as they can also cause impaired driving.

"A lot of them will say 'Do not operate a motor vehicle' right on the label. So adhere to those warning signs for some of them, not only cause impairment, but they also cause drowsiness," he said.

Hux said impaired driving continues to be a big problem. Not just in St. Joseph and Buchanan County, but across the state.

"That is one of the main contributing circumstances whenever it comes to traffic crashes and, unfortunately, fatal traffic crashes as well," Hux said. "Too many people lose their lives every year due to impaired drivers."

Hux said one of the hardest jobs of being a state trooper is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that could be caused by impaired driving.

"Going to that house, knocking on the door and telling a mother or father that their loved one has been killed in a traffic crash, especially when it relates to an impaired driver," Hux said. "That's not something that we should have to do."

When it comes to DWI and impaired driving responses, one Road Patrol Deputy with the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office is going above and beyond.

Kelby Shepard will receive an award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) due to his enforcement efforts associated with impaired driving.

"I thought it was a good recognition. I've been working hard trying to attend trainings to end impaired driving altogether," Shepard said. "One day, I hope that we can be out there and not have to worry about impaired drivers because of all these advancements."

Shepard said patrol efforts aren't going away anytime soon, especially with combating impaired driving.