News Release

“Beat the Heat” initiative helps keep roads and riverways safe on holiday weekend

Summer floaters and boaters can “Beat the Heat” on the cool waters of the Current and Jacks Fork rivers and on area roadways with sober drivers.

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News Release Date: July 18, 2023

Contact: Dena Matteson, [phone]

VAN BUREN, Mo:  This past Fourth of July weekend, Ozark National Scenic Riverways partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Region 7 (NHTSA) and local law enforcement to emphasize the importance of driving sober and saving lives on America’s roads by participating in the “Beat the Heat, Drive Sober” impaired-driving awareness campaign. 

Park rangers and other local law enforcement officers worked together in and around Ozark National Scenic Riverways to reduce impaired driving by making contact with drivers and boaters to encourage driving sober or selecting “designated drivers” for holiday festivities. The “Beat the Heat, Drive Sober” campaign resulted in 24 arrests along the Riverways. Of those contacts, 15 were arrested for impaired driving, including four arrests for drug-impaired driving. The other arrests included felony drugs such as methamphetamine, hallucinogens, and other narcotics; resisting arrest, and public intoxication.   

“We were pleased with the positive response from visitors enjoying Ozark National Scenic Riverways over the busy holiday weekend, as many were celebrating in a responsible manner and avoiding impaired driving,” said Riverways Chief Ranger Lindel Gregory. “National Park Service Rangers are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors and local residents.”  

It is never safe to drive when impaired. This not only means refraining from drunk driving, but also from drug-impaired driving. Prescription drugs and over-the-counter cold and sleep medications can impact driving ability just as much as illegal drugs and alcohol. This law enforcement initiative was an effort to draw attention to the dangers of impaired driving to drivers, passengers, and everyone on the roadways and riverways.   

For more information about impaired driving, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drug-impaired-driving.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people. For more information visit, www.nps.gov/ozar or call 573-323-4236. 

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Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves 134 miles of the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.  Learn more at www.nps.gov/ozar.  Find us on Facebook @ozarkriverways and on Instagram @ozarkriverwaysnps.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.