Get ready—they’re coming. It’s the end of the summer and police across the country are cracking down on motorists during what is anticipated to be one of the busiest travel periods the nation’s highways have ever seen. Naturally, officers are concerned with motorists’ speed, lack of seat belt use and reckless driving. But, over the next two weeks (which encompass the Labor Day weekend) deputies will be specifically cracking down on drunk drivers like never before.
The new campaign is called, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” The program’s goal is to prevent needless deaths and injuries. Each state in the nation will be implementing the program. In some states like Wisconsin, commercials featuring sobering statistics such as: “A person is killed or injured in alcohol-related crash every 80 minutes in Wisconsin” and “In 2005, alcohol-related crashes in Wisconsin killed 331 people and injured nearly 6,000 others” are being broadcast on TV and radio stations.
In New York a local radio personality lent a helping hand to police to illustrate how little it takes to be considered a drunk driver. A blood alcohol level of .08 is considered legally drunk. After drinking two pints of beer the radio personality’s blood alcohol level measured under the legal limit, at .03, but police say even that is enough to be arrested if an officer considers a motorist impaired.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Board, last year more than 750 people died in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York in drunk driving crashes. Police hope increased patrols targeting drunk drivers will significantly reduce that number this year.
But officers say you can do your part as well. For example, if you suspect a fellow motorist is driving under the influence you should contact police immediately with the exact location you observed the erratic driver. In addition, police recommend you party smart. If you are attending an end of the summer party and have had too much to drink, get a ride home from a friend or call a cab.