Local law enforcement rallies with MADD in DWI fight

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Local law enforcement agencies gathered in St. Joseph on Saturday for a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) event aimed at raising awareness and supporting victims of impaired driving.

The event was held from noon to 3 p.m. at Reed Chevrolet, located at 4200 Commonwealth Court.

"My father was killed by a drunk driver in Osceola, Missouri," said Buchanan County Deputy Zack Craft. "To this day, I've taken that motivation and turned it into what I do now. DWI is a murder looking for a place to happen. Every 45 minutes, one person is killed by an impaired driver. With this event, we're trying to change that."

Agencies from across northwest Missouri and the Kansas City area came together to put the brakes on impaired driving through public education on a widespread issue affecting both the state and the nation.

"When you get behind the wheel of a vehicle and you're in any type of impaired state, that is no longer a vehicle," said Tabitha Perkins, MADD Missouri state executive director. "You've turned it into a deadly weapon. Every impaired driving crash is a choice. The numbers continue to rise in Missouri and nationwide, and as a result, fatal crashes are increasing at an alarming rate."

Organizers say they’re optimistic about new laws being introduced across Missouri and the continued effort to reduce impaired driving.

"We can enact all the laws we want and we are doing great with those," Perkins said. "We have a lot more laws coming next year, and we're hopeful to get some of those passed. But with that, we ask the general public for their support in this effort."

Community members had the opportunity to test drive vehicles and spend the afternoon learning about the push to end impaired driving.