The Missouri Department of Transportation reminds all drivers that law enforcement agencies will be on the lookout for underage impaired driving with a high-visibility enforcement campaign from April 30 – May 9. Timing of the campaign will coincide with statewide prom and graduation dates, which are often when teens and young adults consume alcohol.

“It’s all about making good decisions,” said Jon Nelson, chair of the executive committee of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. “The futures of today’s teens can be quickly shattered by the consequences of one moment – one careless decision to get behind the wheel while impaired.”

In a MoDOT press release states that at the end of first quarter 2021, teen fatalities were up 63% over this time last year. In the last three years, there were 24 fatal crashes and 101 serious injury crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver under the age of 21. As a result of making this wrong choice, 26 people died and 132 were seriously injured in these crashes.

Missouri has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage driving under the influence. If a person under 21 years old is caught driving with even a trace of alcohol in their system, their license will automatically be suspended. Other consequences of drunk driving include jail time, the loss of driver licenses or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Financial penalties may include higher insurance rates, attorney fees and court costs.

Missouri’s new strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, Driving Missouri Toward Safer Roads, identifies four key focus areas to help turn the tide: occupant protection (seat belts, car seats and helmets), distracted driving, speeding and impaired driving. For more information on the Show-Me Zero plan, and to check out the Coalition’s new video promoting the plan, visit www.savemolives.com.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story