WV State Police Stepping Up Holiday Patrol
- {Charleston, West Virginia}...DUI arrests in West Virginia seems to be dropping, down from 6,841 in 2008 to 6,112 last year, but troopers still want to get the word out not to drink and drive. During a news conference Tuesday, West Virginia State Police Sgts. Michael Baylous, Chris Zerkle and Jay Powers said extra troopers will be out during the holiday season thanks to grant money allocated by the state that allows troopers to work extra shifts or put in overtime to keep the roads safe. Sgt. Baylous says, "Driving under the influence is a conscious and selfish decision." Sgt. Zerkle says driving under the influence doesn't just apply to alcohol but also includes motorists who are driving while taking legal or illegal prescription drugs. He says many people don't realize that some prescription medications carry warnings not to drive while taking the drugs. If caught on the road after taking a legally prescribed drug with such a warning, "you're under the influence, and you can be arrested."
