The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) is kicking off the Labor Day weekend early by instituting a national stop drunk driving campaign that began last weekend and ends September 5.
As part of the campaign, the NHTSA will be featuring the new slogan “Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over” along with its previously used “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” slogan, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer. In addition, local and state police have been asked to conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints.
The drunk driving campaign is motivated by the number of fatal drunk driving accidents that often occur during the holiday season. In 2008, Pennsylvania reported 492 fatalities from drunk driving accidents and New Jersey reported 155 cases, reports the Inquirer.
This Labor Day crackdown is just the latest holiday-themed crackdown by the NHTSA. The last stop drunk driving campaign ran from December 6 to January 2 during the Christmas and New Year holidays. And the NHTSA has also run campaigns during St. Patrick's Day and Halloween in years past, reports the Inquirer.
Drivers who are dumb enough to drive under the influence should be aware that they face severe penalties for a fatal DUI. In Pennsylvania, you could face homicide by vehicle charges, a felony in the second degree, and face up to 10 years in jail -- the minimum sentence is three years imprisonment.
The NHTSA is starting its national stop drunk driving campaign early. Along with television, print, and radio ads, the NHTSA has asked local and state police to step up DUI enforcement. Those caught drunk driving will face tough penalties.
Related Resources:
- Find a Philadelphia DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
- Impaired Driving (NHTSA)
- Pennsylvania DUI Laws (FindLaw)
- The 5 Senses: Signs of Drunk Driving in Doylestown Township (FindLaw's Philadelphia DUI Blog)
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