In their commitment to end drunk driving, the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety is joining forces with the state and local law enforcement for the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. This campaign started on August 21 and will run through September 7, 2015. Enforcement officers will be highly visible on the roads and high-profile events will take place, too. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also part of the nationwide driving crackdown campaign. According to the National Highway for Traffic Safety Administration, the risk of coming across drunk drivers increases exponentially between 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.
Related: New Technology Set To Remove Drunk Drivers From Roads
Labor Day drunk driving statistics
With Labor Day just around the corner, roads are going to be busy again. Here is some drunk driving data from the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety from last year’s Labor Day holiday period:
- One out of the 14 traffic-related fatalities recorded was alcohol-related.
- In 2014, 116, or 17%, of the 672 total fatalities in Kentucky were due to alcohol. Out of those accidents, seven involved a motorcyclist.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gathered reports on alcohol-related driving fatalities from 2003 to 2012. Here’s what they found:
- A total of 2,041 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver in Kentucky.
- In 2012 alone, death rate was highest for those between the ages 21 to 34.
- In another study, it was found that 1.5% of adults reported driving after drinking too much.
While the rate of drunk driving-related incidents has gone down over the recent years, still, one life lost is too many. Drunk driving accidents are preventable. We need to continue working together to stop drunk driving.
Related: Getting A Ride Home After Drinking Can Save Lives
Driving safety tips
Protect your loved ones, save lives and never drink and drive. Here are a few more tips to keep you safe from impaired driving during the Labor Day holiday:
- Before heading out to celebrate the holiday, plan how you’re going to go back home.
- Have a designated driver. Make sure that the driver stays sober and give them your car keys.
- If you’re alone and have been drinking, do not drive. Ask a friend or family member to take you home.
- You can also use the Drive Sober Kentucky app so you can arrange for a taxi.
- Should you notice drunk drivers on the road, do not hesitate to report to them to the authorities.
As a Kentucky Accident Attorney, I fully support the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety for cracking down on drunk drivers. Impaired driving does not have to happen. No one has to die due to another’s carelessness. Let’s lookout for each other and always drive sober, no matter what.