WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched its annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign on Tuesday, urging Americans to plan for a sober ride home ahead of the Labor Day weekend.
NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser, speaking at an event in Arlington, Virginia, said the campaign aims to combat a persistent problem on the nation’s roads.
“Impaired driving is totally preventable, yet more than 12,000 people are killed each year because someone selfishly decides to drive under the influence,” Simshauser said. “Law enforcement officers nationwide are joining us to help stop impaired drivers and save lives.”
The campaign, which includes a national media push, reminds drivers of the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. According to NHTSA, nearly one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the U.S. involve drunk drivers with a blood alcohol content at or above the legal limit of .08.
Law enforcement officers will step up patrols from August 15 through September 1 as part of the high-visibility enforcement effort.
The campaign also features two additional messages: “Drive High, Get a DUI” to address drug-impaired driving, and “Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over,” which targets motorcyclists. In 2023, 41% of riders who died in single-motorcycle crashes were alcohol impaired.
NHTSA urged everyone to plan ahead for a sober ride and to call 9-1-1 if they see an impaired driver on the road.
Photo by Burak Kebapci from Pexels
