Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online

TBO > News

Sheriff's Office Wins Car, Bears Anti-Drunken Driving Message

Tribune photo by FRED BELLET

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office unveiled its latest weapon against drunk driving Friday morning. Driven by deputy Sgt. Art Rowand, the 2007 Chevrolet Impala is decked out with some pretty neat graphics and lights.

By GEOFF FOX | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 12, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - There is a Grim Reaper painted on the hood of the new Pasco County Sheriff's Office vehicle.
Beneath the scythe-wielding image is the following message:
"YOU DRINK
"YOU DRIVE
"YOU DIE!"
Sgt. Art Rowand won the "DUI impairment vehicle" last month through the state Department of Transportation's Law Enforcement Challenge. He was the ninth of 10 contestants given a key to try to open the car.
"I'm just glad there wasn't a microphone in the car when I got in," Rowand said with a laugh.
Eye-catching from bumper to bumper, the 2007 Chevrolet Impala features dazzling designs along the sides and a ground kit that flashes red and blue lights as Rowan rolls down the road. The car is worth about $19,000, Rowan said, but he did not know how many miles per gallon of gasoline it gets.
Overall, the sheriff's office placed third in the DOT contest, which pits similar-sized agencies against each other; Pasco competed in a category of agencies with 251 or more certified deputies.
The competition focuses on efforts to enforce laws and educate people about impaired driving, speeding and other aspects of traffic safety. Agencies submit applications to the DOT that demonstrate their effectiveness in those areas.
On the back of the vehicle is another message: "Buzzed driving is drunk driving."
"One gentleman has already had the luxury of riding in the back of it," said Rowand, who has been with the sheriff's office since 1984. "I pull into a gas station or convenience store and people pull out their cell phones to take pictures of it."