Prepare To Hear This Warning On Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend is quickly approaching. Prepare to hear these phrases: "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High, Get a DUI”.

Police departments, sheriff’s offices and Michigan State Police are partnering with the Office of Highway Safety Planning to get impaired drivers off the road. "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High, Get a DUI” will run from Aug. 16 to Sept. 6.

These messages are an effort to increase state and national messages about the dangers of driving impaired. You'll also see extra enforcement and increased officers on the roadway.

OHSP Director Michael L. Prince said in a news release,

"The Labor Day holiday is a time for fun and community as families and friends gather for a final, late-summer celebration. Unfortunately, there are people who will make the wrong choice to drive impaired, needlessly putting themselves and others at risk. The law enforcement officers participating in these campaigns are dedicated to enforcing our traffic laws and keeping our roadways safe. We need people to understand that it’s up to them to make the smart decision to drive sober."

Last year in Michigan on Labor Day weekend, there were 1500 crashed and 15 of those were fatal. Of those 15 fatal crashes, eight involved alcohol and/or drugs. In 2020, nearly 42% of fatalities on Michigan roadways involved alcohol and/or drugs.

In Michigan, it’s illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. The impaired driving campaigns are supported with federal traffic safety funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Labor Day Weekend is September 4, 5 and 6.