LABOR DAY HOLIDAY; Responsible Driving Never Takes a Day Off

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“If you feel different, you drive different”

(August 26, 2019) – Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania DUI Association warns all motorists across the state that law enforcement officers will be working hard this Labor Day weekend to remove impaired drivers from our highways. Municipal police officers in conjunction with State Troopers will be conducting enforcement details specifically geared towards the detection and apprehension of impaired drivers.

Many law enforcement officers have received special training enabling them to spot impairment as a result of controlled substances along with alcohol impairment. In addition, there are nearly 200 active Drug Recognition Experts in Pennsylvania to assist in the successful apprehension and prosecution of drug impaired motorists. Motorists are advised impaired is impaired regardless of the substance – remember, if you feel different, you drive different.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),traffic crashes in 2017 accounted for 37,133 fatalities across the country – 10,874 were a direct result of alcohol impaired drivers. Factor in drivers impaired by controlled substances and the number is even higher. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania stayed close to the national averages with 1,137 fatal traffic crashes in 2017 – 314 as a direct result of alcohol impairment.

Motorists arrested for DUI face potential jail time along with fines and costs totaling nearly $10,000.00. Repeat offenders risk a felony offense and incarceration in a State Correctional Institution. Don’t let this happen to you.

If you take prescription medications or are certified for medical marijuana, consult with your physician concerning the potentially impairing effects of your medication(s).

Executive Director of the Pennsylvania DUI Association C. Stephen Erni had this to say: “We at the Pennsylvania DUI Association salute the hard-working men and women of Pennsylvania for all they do to make the Commonwealth a great place to live. While we want everybody to enjoy this time off, we urge all motorists to exercise sound judgement – don’t drive impaired, arrange for alternate transportation or simply plan ahead. If you are hosting a celebration, never allow an impaired guest to get behind the wheel. Drivers remember, a short lapse in judgement can lead to a lifetime of regret ranging from a DUI arrest to the taking of a life.”

Americans work hard, that’s a fact. Labor Day is when we reflect on all our efforts and take a well-deserved day off with family and friends. There are others however that work on Labor Day to provide emergency services and to ensure our safety. We can honor all first responders this Labor Day Holiday by not driving impaired and by exercising patience, respect and courtesy on our nation’s highways.

Together, we can eliminate impaired driving from our highways and make it so everybody has a safe, enjoyable Labor Day!