Police Remind Drivers: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Published on August 16, 2023
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Labor Day holiday weekend is often celebrated with friends and families gathering at end-of-season pool parties, backyard barbecues and other festivities. As you enjoy the informal end of summer, the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is again partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during the high-visibility national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, to remind community members to celebrate responsibly.
From Wednesday, August 16, 2023 – Monday, September 4, 2023, motorists nationwide can expect to see increased messages about the dangers of driving under the influence, coupled with enforcement and increased saturation patrols to identify and apprehend impaired drivers. This campaign aims to drastically reduce drunk driving on our nation’s roadways through a two-pronged approach of education and enforcement.
According to NHTSA, 13,384 people were killed nationwide in drunk-driving crashes in 2021 — that’s one person every 39 minutes. On average, more than 11,000 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes each year from 2017 to 2021. This is why ACPD is working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal; it’s a matter of life and death. This Labor Day and every day, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
ACPD encourages community members to follow these tips to ensure all travelers reach their destinations safely:
- Remember it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride sharing service to get home safely.
- If you see a suspected impaired driver on the roadway, report to your local law enforcement. To report a suspected impaired driver in Arlington County, call the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
- Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
For more information about the dangers of drunk driving, visit the NHTSA website.