Published on August 12, 2024
ARLINGTON, Virginia. – Labor Day weekend is fast approaching, which means many are preparing to celebrate with family and friends while attending barbecues, pool parties, and other gatherings. The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is once again partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during the high-profile national enforcement campaign. Drive sober or get stoppedto remind community members to celebrate responsibly.
Out of Friday, August 16, 2024 – Monday, September 2, 2024Motorists across the country can expect increased education about the dangers of driving under the influence, coupled with increased enforcement and patrols to identify and arrest drunk drivers. The goal of this campaign is to dramatically reduce the number of drunk drivers on our nation’s roads through a two-pronged approach of education and enforcement.
According to NHTSA, there were 490 traffic fatalities nationwide during Labor Day 2022 (between 6:00 p.m. on September 2 and 5:59 a.m. on September 6). Of those 490 traffic fatalities, 39% (190) were due to drunk drivers. ACPD is working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, it is a matter of life and death. This Labor Day and every day, remember: Drive sober or get stopped.
ACPD encourages community members to follow the following tips to ensure all travelers reach their destination safely:
- Remember, it’s never okay to drive while drunk. Even if you’ve only had one alcoholic drink, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a rideshare service to get home safely.
- If you see a suspected drunk driver on the road, report it to your local police. To report a suspected drunk driver in Arlington County, call the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or, in an emergency, 9-1-1.
- Is your friend about to drive drunk? Take the keys away from him and take precautions to get your friend home safely.
For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, visit the NHTSA website.
