(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Local law enforcement will partner with more than 250 other agencies around the state of Indiana to stop drunk driving this month.

The Dearborn County Traffic Safety Partnership will join Indiana State Police for “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” It’s a crackdown on impaired and dangerous driving beginning Friday and continuing through March 20.

“Impaired driving is a crime – one too deadly to ignore,” said Lawrenceburg Police Sgt. Brian Miller. “That’s why we don’t give warnings, or accept excuses – if you’re over the limit in Dearborn County you will be arrested.”

The Dearborn County Traffic Safety Partnership says in March 2009 there were 41 fatal crashes on Indiana roads. Almost a quarter of those involved a driver who was legally intoxicated.

Alcoholic beverages are a primary factor in more than a third of alcohol-related crashes in Indiana according to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

The Indiana State Police say such enforcement blitzes are federally funded traffic safety projects which aim to reduce crashes.

“We all share the roadways and we all share responsibility in doing our part to make the highways safer.  Anyone who observes erratic driving is encouraged to call 911 and be prepared to give as much detailed information as possible such as color and make of vehicle, license plate number, which roadway being traveled, and direction of travel.  Callers can remain anonymous,” said state police Sgt. Noel Houze at the ISP Versailles Post.