Police departments throughout Bucks County, including in the Levittown area, are taking part in stepped up DUI patrols this holiday weekend.
From 10 p.m. Saturday until 3 a.m. on Sunday, Newtown Township police will have extra officers carrying out DUI enforcement patrols on their streets. Officers in Bensalem Township, Doylestown Township, Middletown Township, New Britain Township, Penndel Borough, Richland Township, Upper Southampton Township, Warrington Township, and Warwick Township outside of the Levittown area will also being ramping up enforcement.
“These days there is simply no excuse for impaired driving. If you do, you risk others’ lives and you’ll get arrested. Fortunately, there are more options than ever for safely getting where you’re going,” said District Attorney Matt Weintraub. “Have fun this Labor Day weekend, but be safe. Don’t drink or do drugs and drive.”
Across Pennsylvania, there were 33 fatal crashes between August 31 and September 9 in 2018. A total of 20 of those deaths were due to impaired driving, according to PennDOT data.
Authorities urge drivers to have a plan to get home safely if they plan to drink.
PennDOT is also pushing the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign through the holiday weekend.
“PennDOT wants to send the message to motorists and especially young drivers to never get behind the wheel impaired, and use caution when walking and biking too,” PennDOT District 6 Executive Kenneth M. McClain said.
PennDOT provided the following tips:
- Before taking prescription drugs, ask your doctor or pharmacist about potential risk for impairment;
- Designate a nondrinking driver before festivities even begin and never operate a vehicle while impaired;
- Never leave a friend alone if they are impaired and might try to drive, and take the keys from anyone who is impaired;
- For those without a sober designated driver, call for a cab, use a ride share app. such as NHTSA’s SaferRide , or stay put; and
- Always buckle up.
The extra enforcement in Bucks County and beyond is being paid for through grant money from PennDOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
