Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over: Labor Day Traffic Safety

As Labor Day weekend approaches, the Statesville Police Department is reminding everyone to celebrate responsibly. This time of year often sees a rise in impaired driving crashes, but with the right choices, these tragedies are entirely preventable.

Impaired Driving Puts Everyone at Risk

The National Highway Traffic Safey Administration (NHTSA) estimates that approximately 505 crash fatalities nationwide over the 2024 Labor Day holiday period (6 p.m. September 1 - 5:59 a.m. September 5). Of those people, 170 (34%) were killed in crashes that involved at least one alcohol-impaired driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above.

According to federal data cited by Forbes (August 25, 2024), "In a recent year, nearly 500 people nationwide lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes during Labor Day weekend, according to federal data. Almost 40% of them involved a drunk driver, and a quarter (25%) involved drivers who were driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level almost twice the legal limit."

Driving under the influence - whether from alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications - slows reaction time, clouds judgment, and puts every road user at risk.

Safe Driving Tips for the Holiday Weekend

Here’s how you can stay safe and protect others on the road this Labor Day weekend:

• Plan ahead: Arrange a sober ride before heading out.
• Use a rideshare or uber: Don’t rely on “feeling fine” to make your decision.
  
• Don’t let friends drive impaired: Take their keys and help them get home safely.
• Always wear your seat belt: It’s your best defense against impaired drivers.
• Report dangerous driving: Call 911 if you see a suspected drunk driver.
  

Make the Right Choice

Officers will be on high alert this Labor Day. If you choose to drive impaired, you will get pulled over.

Labor Day should be a time for fun, not a time to visit the emergency room or a jail cell. A few smart decisions can keep you, your passengers, and others on the road safe.

To learn more about the Statesville Police Department, visit police.statesvillenc.net.