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Pennsylvania Runs ‘Drive Sober’ Campaign Through Labor Day

Just about every year, Labor Day weekend is one of the most dangerous times of year for drivers — especially on highways. This year, the Pennsylvania division of the American Trauma Society is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign that has already kicked off and will run through the end of Labor Day weekend.

The campaign aims to warn motorists of the dangers of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drunk driving accidents resulted in 10,497 deaths in the United States in 2016. That included 433 people killed over Labor Day weekend alone, according to information provided by NHTSA.

PennDOT reported 153 alcohol-related crashes over the 2017 Labor Day weekend, along with three deaths. While this reflected a decrease from the nine deaths the year before, it was a stark increase from the 118 total accidents involving alcohol in the same period in 2016. Of the traffic deaths that occurred over all holidays and holiday weekends in Pennsylvania last year, 37 percent were directly related to alcohol use.

Expect more robust enforcement

State and local law enforcement officials will gear up their enforcement during the course of this campaign. Sobriety checkpoints will be placed at unannounced locations throughout the state, and police will be encouraged to pull over drivers at any sign of impairment.

Local and federal officials urge everyone who intends to travel to plan ahead and avoid drinking or using drugs before operating their vehicles. Instead, they are encouraged to have a designated driver, use a ride-sharing service or cab or take public transportation.

If you have been charged with driving under the influence and wish to explore your legal options, contact skilled Berks County DUI defense lawyer David R. Eshelman.

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