From August 14 through September 2, which includes the Labor Day holiday weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be working alongside local law enforcement for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign. The goal is to deter impaired driving and prevent the tragedies seen in previous Labor Day weekends from happening again. During the 2023 Labor Day holiday (6 p.m. September 2-5:59 a.m. September 6), there were
1,365 recorded crashes in the State of Wisconsin, including 9 fatalities. Of these 1,365 traffic crashes, 113 involved an impaired driver. Among the 9 people that were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday in 2023, 44% of those crashes involved an impaired driver. “We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Capt. Chris Randall. “The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it takes lives. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect the community and put an end to this dangerous behavior.” Drivers should be safe during this Labor Day holiday by planning ahead if they intend to drink. They shouldn’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get home. Impairment clouds a person’s judgment. Drivers should secure a designated sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare for a sober ride home. If a driver finds they are unable to drive, they should give their keys to a sober driver so that person can get them home safely. When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive — take away the keys and help them get a sober ride home. If anyone spots a drunk driver, contact local law enforcement. For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.
