NHTSA Launches Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Enforcement Campaign
One person is killed every 42 minutes in an impaired-driving crash
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) kicked off its annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign. As millions of Americans prepare for road trips over the Labor Day weekend, NHTSA reminds them of the dangers and consequences of driving drunk or high.
NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser kicked off the campaign today at an event at the National Park Service’s Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia. Joining him were Frank Lands, Deputy Director for Operations at the National Park Service; Stacey Stewart, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving; and Rose Kehoe and Kris Meade of Arlington, parents of a teenager tragically killed by an impaired driver.
“Impaired driving is totally preventable, yet more than 12,000 people are killed each year because someone selfishly decides to drive under the influence. Law enforcement officers nationwide are joining us to help stop impaired drivers and save lives. Make the responsible choice ahead of Labor Day weekend and plan ahead--arrange for a sober ride home. Yours is not the only life at stake,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said.
Nearly one third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers with a BAC at or above the legal limit of .08. Men 18-34 years old are most likely to be impaired drivers, and evening hours are the deadliest, where the rate of alcohol-impaired fatal crashes are three times higher at night than during the day.
NHTSA is supplementing the campaign with two additional messages. Drive High, Get a DUI reminds drivers that cannabis and other drugs impair their ability to drive safely and can result in an impaired-driving charge. Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over also reminds motorcyclists to not drink and ride. In 2023, 41% of riders who died in single-motorcycle crashes were alcohol impaired.
These efforts are supported by a national media campaign that runs through Sept. 1, featuring ads for TV, radio, and digital platforms, including social media. As part of the high-visibility enforcement campaign, law enforcement officers also will be stepping up patrols from Aug. 15 through Sept. 1 to identify and stop impaired drivers.
NHTSA urges everyone to plan ahead and never drive after consuming alcohol or any other impairing substance. Instead, designate a sober driver, or call a ride-hailing service or taxi to make sure you get home safely. If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 911.