OTC launches Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign
News | Published on August 20, 2024 at 3:30pm GMT+0000 | Author: Tucker Henderson
0Local campaign to coincide with state crackdown on drunk driving
From August 14 through September 2, including the Labor Day holiday weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will collaborate with the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign. The campaign’s goal is to deter impaired driving and prevent the tragedies that have historically occurred during the Labor Day holiday.
Labor Day weekend sees a significant increase in crashes involving drunk drivers. In 2022, there were 490 crash fatalities nationwide during the Labor Day weekend, with 47 percent involving drunk drivers. Locally, in Otter Tail County, data shows that over 30 percent of crashes during this period involve alcohol.
“We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Sergeant Allen Mekash of the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office. “The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal, and it takes lives. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect the community and put an end to this senseless behavior.”
To stay safe this Labor Day weekend, drivers should plan ahead if they intend to drink. It’s crucial to secure a designated sober driver before heading out. Impairment clouds judgment and making decisions after drinking can be dangerous.
Handing the keys to a sober driver is essential for those unable to drive to ensure a safe return home. Friends should also step in if someone who has been drinking is considering driving—take away the keys and help them find a sober ride home. Contact local law enforcement immediately if you see a drunk driver on the road.
For more information on impaired driving, visit NHTSA’s website. To learn more about the Safe Communities Coalition, visit www.ottertailcounty.gov/injury-prevention or find them on Facebook.