PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police Urge Responsible, Designated Driving Ahead of Labor Day Holiday

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are reminding motorists to travel responsibly ahead of the Labor Day holiday.

“Crashes involving DUI are entirely preventable,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “We are asking motorists to keep themselves, their passengers, and other motorists safe by designating a sober driver and not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

During the 2019 Labor Day holiday enforcement period, troopers made 610 DUI arrests and investigated 45 crashes in which alcohol was a factor.

According to PennDOT data, in 2019 there were 2,995 crashes resulting in 46 fatalities state-wide over the holiday week beginning Friday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. and running through Sunday, Sept. 8. Of the total fatalities, 19 were alcohol-related and three were drug-related.

PennDOT encourages motorists to always plan ahead by either designating a sober driver or arranging for alternate transportation. Ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend, PennDOT will share short video messages on its FacebookInstagram and Twitter  through Sept. 4:

The public can join the conversation on social media by using #BeSafePA and #DriveSober.

Over this holiday period, the Pennsylvania State Police and local municipal agencies will conduct impaired driving enforcement details as part of a national impaired driving enforcement and education initiative running through Sept.7.

This effort is funded through PennDOT’s state-wide annual distribution of more than $4.7 million from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for impaired driving enforcement.

“Wherever you travel this holiday weekend, please slow down and buckle up,” said Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police.

“Travelers will notice a visible state police presence on the roads, with troopers taking a zero-tolerance approach toward impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving; as well as speeding.”

To learn more about PennDOT’s efforts to prevent impaired driving or other safety initiatives, visit www.PennDOT.gov/Safety. For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit www.psp.pa.gov.

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