Izard County
Sheriff's Office
Sheriff's Office
Melbourne, Arkansas
Services
Administration
Chapel
Criminal Investigation
Detention & Dispatch Center
Drug & Alcohol Interdiction
K-9
Mobile Command
Patrol
Reserves
Search & Rescue
Crime Tips HOTline
(870) 368-4203
or Submit Via Email
Phone:
(870) 368-4203
(24 Hours)
Fax:
(870) 368-5226
Emergency:
Dial 911
Address:
300 Circle Drive
Melbourne, AR 72556
Administrative Office:
Monday - Friday
8am - 4:00pm
(870) 368-4227
Pay Fines & Fees:
| 03/22/2010 NUMBER ONE KILLER OF TEENS |
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| One of the most dreadful occasions for a parent is that dreaded phone call or middle of the night visit from a police officer saying that a child had died in a car wreck. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the number on killer of American teenager ages 15 through 19. Izard County Sheriff Tate Lawrence said the main characteristic of fatal crashes for young drivers is driver-error caused by talking on the cell phone, texting, inattention , and fatigue. Following driver-error, having multiple passengers in the vehicle is a factor in fatal crashes and well as alcohol-impaired driving. Twenty five percent of young drivers crashes in 2008 had blood alcohol content. The legal limit for minors in Arkansas is .02 percent. Forty one percent of young drivers killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts and the greatest occurrences of teenage deaths occur between 9:00 p.m. and midnight. Sheriff Lawrence also said that for young drivers, alcohol involvement is higher among males than females. A recent study showed that teens who reported that their parents set rules and paid attention to where the teens were going and with whom, were half as likely to be involved in a crash and were twice as likely to wear seat belts, were 71 percent less likely to drive while intoxicated, and were 30 percent less likely to use a cell phone while driving. Many of these fatal accidents are preventable. Avoiding alcohol, wearing seat belts, avoiding cell phone use, and just simply paying attention will drastically reduce the number of teenage fatalities. Sheriff Lawrence said that spring break and summer vacation are excellent times to put these safe practices in place. News Release For Immediate Release March 22, 2010 POC: Sheriff Tate Lawrence 870 368 4203 |