Full Notification

Bluffton, IN. – The Bluffton Police Department announced today the completion of increased enforcement during the 2015 Thanksgiving holiday travel period. During the 24 day enforcement period, 122 tickets and warnings were written, and three arrests were made for driving while intoxicated within the City of Bluffton.

“Driving sober and wearing your seatbelt are keys to safe driving,” said Deputy Chief Kyle Randall. “Even beyond the holiday travel season, we will continue to spread awareness on the ways in which we can prevent accident, injury, and death on our Indiana roadways.”

One traffic stop, initiated for unsafe speed, led to the suspect vehicle failing to stop for several stop signs in a residential area, traveling at speeds estimated at 80 mph, until it crashed into a tree in its attempted get-away. Nobody was seriously injured. The driver has been identified and criminal charges are pending.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on average, more than 10,000 people die on U.S. roadways, due to intoxicated driving. When it comes to buckling up, in 2012 alone, statistics show seat belts saved an estimated 12,174 lives nationwide. In Indiana, in 2014, seat belt usage in passenger cars was 90.2 percent.

“Increasing education and enforcement on such important topics as keeping our roadways safe would not be possible without the dedication of officers across our state working thousands of overtime hours day and night enforcing Indiana traffic laws,” said ICJI Director Dave Murtaugh. “I am grateful these men and women, and for all our partners, who work diligently to keep our communities safe.”

Increased enforcement during the Thanksgiving Holiday period is an annual statewide effort supported by federal highway safety funding. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute distributes funding to more than 250 participating Indiana law enforcement agencies.

To learn more about the Bluffton Police Department please visit: http://www.blufftonindiana.net/police-department.

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Media Contact: Kyle Randall, Deputy Chief
260.824.3320
[email protected]