Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Relays Message From Mothers Against Drunk Driving
April is Alcohol Awareness Month across the USA.
The National MADD Organization is reminding everyone that as summer draws nearer and the nation returns to traveling, drunk driving will increase.
“This is Alcohol Awareness Month, and we encourage families to use the extra time together to discuss underage drinking and marijuana use with their young drivers. Our PowerTalk 21 program is dedicated to providing families with a Power of Parents guide and companion videos filled with the latest information,” National President of MADD Helen Witty said.
For many years, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the regional MADD chapter, and several of Franklin County’s deputies have been recognized for their work in drunk driving arrests.
Check out the website and make a donation if you can.
Pizza Hut Feed Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Recently, Pizza Hut brought a meal to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Pizza Hut manager Jon Williams handed the pizza off to Lieutenant Jeff McCarty.
“The outpouring of charity for law enforcement, public safety, and especially our medical community is a wonderful reminder of the great county we live in,” Lieutenant McCarty said.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office thanks all of the Pizza Hut staff and management for their generosity with this wonderful gift.
Domino’S Pizza Of Rocky Mount Gifts Pizza to Sheriff’s Office
At lunchtime on Tuesday, April 21, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office didn’t have to look far for a great meal. Domino’s Pizza brought by pizzas to feed all our shifts.
“To say we are overwhelmed at the outpouring of kindness is an understatement”, Captain Erik Mollin said. Thank you to Koddie Wickline, and all her wonderful staff for their generosity.
Sheriff’s Office Asks Everyone to Be Alert For Pedestrians and Cyclists
Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, more pedestrians and cyclists have been out and about. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Virginia DMV, are reminding all motorists to be extra alert.
Pedestrians also need to heighten their awareness when walking. When walking, pedestrians should be predictable, follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals. They should cross at crosswalks or intersections – where drivers expect pedestrians. While crossing, pedestrians are advised to look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right, and make eye contact with turning drivers before proceeding when possible. Turning vehicles can be especially dangerous at intersections. If there is no crosswalk or intersection, pedestrians should go to a well-lit area with the best view of traffic, wait until there is enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic while crossing.
To stay safe, pedestrians need to work together with all road users, which means using crosswalks and obeying signs and signals, while motorists need to slow down, especially in areas with high-pedestrian traffic.
Please review the following safety tips from Virginia DMV regarding pedestrians:
- Plan a route with safe crossings
- Avoid distractions, alcohol and drugs, and be alert
- Dress to be seen, but never assume that drivers see you
- At night, wear reflective clothing and carry a blinking light or flashlight
- Walk on sidewalks facing traffic
- If there’s no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible
- Watch for cars backing up, especially in parking lots and driveways
Virginia DMV and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Reminds Everyone to Buckle Up
The Virginia Highway Safety Office and the Office of the Sheriff encourages everyone to wear their seat belts during every trip. Seat belts are the single most effective traffic safety device for preventing death during a crash and the best defense against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers.
Seat belts hold drivers and passengers in place, helping the driver maintain control during a collision. Seat belts keep the driver from pitching forward into the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield. They also keep everyone from being ejected from the vehicle or being tossed around within the vehicle.
Virginia law requires all front seat occupants of motor vehicles to be restrained, and it requires passengers from birth to 18 years of age to be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat or seat belt, no matter their seating position. Virginia law also requires that rear-facing child safety seats be placed in the back seat of a vehicle.
