The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has joined with law enforcement nationwide during the 2016 Labor Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign, which runs from August 19 through September 5.
The enforcement campaign coincides with the 2016 Labor Day holiday weekend, which is one of the deadliest times of the year in terms of drunk-driving fatalities. With NHTSA’s support, state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation are stepping up enforcement to put an end to drunk driving, showing zero tolerance in an effort to save lives.
During the campaign there will be increased state and national messaging about the dangers of driving drunk, coupled with sobriety checkpoints and increased officers on the road.
According to NHSTA, on average, over 10,000 people died each year (2010 to 2014) in drunk-driving crashes. During the 2014 Labor Day holiday weekend (6 p.m. August 29 – 5:59 a.m. September 2), 40 per cent of the fatalities in traffic crashes involved drunk drivers, which was the highest percentage over the five years 2010 to 2014.
And night time proves to be the most dangerous time to be out on the roads. During the 2014 Labor Day holiday period, 83 per cent of drunk-driving crash fatalities occurred between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. – as compared to half of all drunk-driving crash fatalities throughout the rest of that year.
Additionally, 40 per cent of crash fatalities on Labor Day weekend in 2014 involved drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 or higher), amounting to 162 lives lost. More than a quarter (28 per cent) of the crash fatalities that occurred on Labor Day weekend involved drivers with BACs of .15 or higher—almost twice the illegal limit.
Click here for more information on the campaign, including videos and infographics.
