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National Crackdown on Impaired Driving Campaign began August 13 and runs through
Labor Day
Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
joined the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and safety partners to urge Pennsylvanians
to celebrate responsibly ahead of the Labor Day holiday.
PSP and local municipal police agencies will be conducting impaired driving
enforcement details as part of the National Crackdown on Impaired Driving enforcement
and education campaign running through September 1. This effort is funded through
PennDOT’s statewide annual distribution of more than $6.2 million from the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration for impaired driving enforcement. The goal of
targeted enforcement is to reduce the number of impaired driving-related crashes,
injuries, and deaths on roadways throughout the state.
Over the Labor Day holiday weekend last year (Friday, August 30, 2024, through
Monday, September 2, 2024) there were 1,002 crashes statewide, resulting in 13
fatalities and 722 injuries. Of those crashes, 106 were alcohol related, resulting in four
fatalities and 65 injuries; and 27 were drug-related, resulting in three fatalities and 22
injuries.
“These numbers should be zero,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Crashes
involving impaired drivers are completely preventable. If your celebration includes
alcohol or drugs, make a plan to get home safely without getting behind the wheel
impaired. Never choose to drive impaired.”
PSP troopers also made 514 DUI arrests and investigated 65 impaired-driving related
crashes, three of which were fatal throughout last year’s Labor Day holiday weekend.
“Removing impaired drivers from our roads saves lives,” said PSP Commissioner
Colonel Christopher Paris. “Our troopers will be out in force to help ensure everyone
gets home safely. Please celebrate the holiday weekend responsibly.”
Perry County Coroner Robert Ressler shared that the most difficult part of his job is
notifying families that their loved ones have died in crashes, especially preventable
crashes involving alcohol or drugs. “Once I identify myself as the coroner, they know I
can only be there for something bad. So, please before you celebrate this Labor Day –
and always – plan for a sober ride. Make sure I won’t be knocking on your loved one’s
door.”
Victim Advocate Melissa “Missy” Sweitzer, whose son Zachary was killed by an
impaired driver, shared her story of loss saying, “one decision ended my son’s life. I live
every day with the consequences someone else thought would never happen. Behind
every DUI fatality is a family forever changed. Don’t be the reason.”
Impaired driving enforcement goes beyond checking for alcohol impairment. Law
enforcement continue to work to identify motorists impaired by illegal drugs and
prescription medication or some combination of substances that impact Pennsylvanians’
ability to safely operate their vehicle. Pennsylvania has approximately 250 Drug
Recognition Experts (DRE) or specially trained officers who look for impaired drivers
and assist in DUI investigations when drug-impaired driving is suspected.
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