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Pennsylvania State Police are encouraging drivers in Pennsylvania to drive sober this holiday season by reminding motorists that there will be increased DUI enforcement efforts in the weeks leading up to the New Year.
The increased DUI enforcement efforts in Pennsylvania are part of the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. The annual initiative is intended to reduce the number of drunk driving incidents by discouraging drivers from getting behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. Click to read more about dram shop liability.
Read below to learn more about all of the details of this year’s DUI crackdown in Pennsylvania including the dates and what to expect.
The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is an initiative that is sponsored by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving, as well as the consequences of driving while intoxicated.
The main objective is to discourage those who may be inclined to drive while intoxicated. The DUI campaign also aims to catch drunk drivers by increasing DUI enforcement in the form of additional roving patrol vehicles as well as additional sobriety checkpoints.
The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign just wrapped up similar DUI enforcement initiatives that focused on reducing drunk driving incidents over Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays.
This year’s end-of-year DUI crackdown began on December 13th and will run through December 31st, 2017 with law enforcement agencies cracking down on DUI drivers over the upcoming holiday period.
Pennsylvania Police will be joining a group of more than 10,000 law enforcement agencies across the nation which will be participating in this year’s DUI enforcement initiative.
According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), a total of 297 people died in alcohol-related auto accidents in the State of Pennsylvania in 2016.
Furthermore, data shows that alcohol was a factor in approximately 25% of all traffic fatalities in Pennsylvania last year.
This end of the year is historically known as a period of time in which many drunk driving incidents occur. Many individuals claim that the increased number of DUI accidents and arrests during this time of year are due to the holiday season. Families and friends often gather together during the holidays for celebrations.
Many of these holiday gatherings involve the consumption of alcoholic beverages which can lead to drunk driving for those who do not have a plan to get home safely.
Holiday parties can often lead to a situation where an individual is pressured to get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. Pennsylvania State Police want to remind drivers to get have a plan for getting home safely during this year’s holiday season.
“No matter where your holiday celebrations take you, it is important to plan ahead for a safe way home and to never get behind the wheel impaired,” said Major Edward Hoke, director, Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. “Don’t put yourself, your passengers, or others at risk by making the decision to drink and drive.”
It is always recommended to have a designated driver for the night or have a plan to use alternative methods of transportation like taking a taxi cabs and rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft.
To help people make it home from their holiday celebrations safely, the NHTSA created the SaferRide smartphone app. Once installed, the app can be used to quickly pinpoint the user’s location and call a taxi or trusted friend for a ride home. The app is free and available for Android and Apple devices.
If you or a loved one has been hit by a drunk driver, contact one of our local law offices throughout the Southeastern Pennsylvania region including locations in:
Call us today to learn more about your legal options after you've been hit by a drunk driver in Pennsylvania.
