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Troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police are taking part in the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign that started Wednesday.
The campaign will crackdown on impaired drivers through Labor Day, which falls on Monday, September 4, state police said.
While DUI-related traffic deaths have dropped over the past 30 years, slight increases have been noted in recent years. On average, about 10,000 people a year are killed in DUI-related traffic incidents.
“As Pennsylvanians prepare to mark the end of summer with Labor Day festivities, it is important to remember to celebrate responsibly and make a plan to get home safely,” said Major Edward Hoke, who leads patrol operations for the state police. “Troopers will conduct high-visibility patrols and DUI checkpoints, with a zero-tolerance approach toward impaired driving.”
Hoke said that DUI-related crashes are preventable.
DUI convictions in Pennsylvania can carry thousands of dollars in fines, a license suspension and even prison time.
