Labor Day Safety: Please Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Millions of Americans are gearing up to celebrate Labor Day, which is less than two weeks away – but before getting too wrapped up in your plans, remember that safety needs to be the number one priority. As a reminder to us all, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently launched its annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Labor Day national enforcement mobilization campaign, which runs from August 18^th to September 4^th. To help our readers prepare for the holiday, we have compiled some important safety tips from the agency below.

Drunk Driving Data

According to the NHTSA, Labor Day weekend is one of the deadliest times to be on the road. While there are several reasons for this, the biggest culprit is impaired driving, which is on the rise. For example, fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes increased by nearly 15% from 2020 to 2021. Two-thirds of these crashes involved drivers who were nearly twice the legal limit of impairment. 13,384 people lost their lives in alcohol-impaired-driving accidents that year, accounting for 31% of all roadway deaths.

With the current numbers intact, an average of one person is killed every 39 minutes from injuries they sustain in an alcohol-impaired motor vehicle crash. In response to these entirely preventable deaths, the U.S. Department of Transportation, or DOT, initiated the National Roadway Safety Strategy last year. The program promotes safer driving as part of its strategy to reduce the avoidable traffic fatalities that happen every day.

With nearly $14 million dollars of funding behind it, the NHTSA’s enforcement campaign is fueled by digital, television, radio, social media and billboards to educate drivers about the numerous dangers of impaired driving. All 50 states have laws that make it illegal for individuals over the age of 21 to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) greater than .08 (it is illegal for individuals under 21 to have any amount of alcohol in their bloodstream), and for good reason – people who drive under the influence have reduced overall brain function and impaired thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination. Even when a person is within the legal limit (.01 to .07) they are more likely to be involved in a crash than a sober driver.

Making Safety Part of Your Plan This Labor Day

To have fun and stay safe on the road, the NHTSA is urging people to take the following recommendations seriously:

• Plan ahead. Never drive after consuming alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. Designate a sober drive or call a ride-hailing service or cab to ensure that you get home safely
• If you are hosting a party where people will be drinking alcohol or using illicit substances, make sure that every guest leaves with a sober driver
• Always wear a seat belt
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 911. It could save someone’s life

Were You in An Accident?

Even if you pledge to drive responsibly, you can’t control others on the road. If you sustained injuries or your vehicle was damaged after being hit by an impaired driver, you should speak with an experienced automobile accident attorney. At Galfand Berger, our attorneys have decades of experience representing motor vehicle accident victims. If you would like to speak with someone about filing a claim, we can help. Contact a representative online now to learn more.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP, Representing Injured Victims Since 1947

If you have questions about filing a claim for injuries you sustained in an accident, contact the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.