US Department of Transportation reminds everyone: Drive Drunk and You Will Be Arrested
WASHINGTON – At a virtual event, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation launched its high-visibility Labor Day enforcement campaign on the drunk driving law, reminding the people who live in the United States not to drive drunk. This year a $10 million national ad campaign will support high visibility enforcement of the law. Motorists can expect to see more law enforcement officers on the roads from Aug. 19 to Sept. 7.
“Drunk driving is a leading cause of death on our nation’s highways, and this Labor Day weekend, please take action to prevent these completely preventable tragedies,” said US Secretary of Transportation Elaine. L. Chao.
The latest NHTSA data on driving under the influence shows that, in 2018, 10,511 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 g/dL or more, 29% of all deaths caused by motor vehicle crashes that year. About two-thirds (7,051) of all drunk driving fatalities occurred in crashes involving a driver with a BAC of .15 g/dL or higher – almost double the legal limit in most states.
This year’s campaign will run through Labor Day weekend, one of the deadliest seasons of the year on America’s roads. During this period, thousands of participating state and local law enforcement agencies will be monitoring the roads to protect the public from drunk drivers.
“The goal of our campaign is to raise national awareness of the dangers of drunk driving, and to prevent future deaths and injuries caused by crashes,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens. “NHTSA encourages everyone to celebrate this Labor Day in a socially distanced and safe way, and create a plan that prevents you, your friends, or your family from driving under the influence.”
With NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens, the virtual event was attended by Secretary Chao, National Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) President, Helen Witty, representatives from the California Highway Patrol and the California Highway Patrol. Tennessee and Ed and Denise Hill.
Driving under the influence of any substance — alcohol or drugs, whether legal or illegal — is against the law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Even in states where the laws on the use of marijuana have changed, it is still illegal to drive under the influence of the drug. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can also negatively affect our ability to drive safely, and driving under their influence is illegal.
