It’s a simple message: Don’t be a jerk, don’t drive under the influence … of anything.
To illustrate that, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration kicked off its “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign ahead of Labor Day weekend — “one of the busiest and deadliest holiday travel times” due to intoxicated driving, the department said.
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman joined D.C. Fire and EMS officials and people directly affected by alcohol-related crashes to talk about the need for everyone to avoid drinking and driving on Thursday morning.
“Driving while impaired, whether from alcohol or drugs, endangers you and everyone else on the road. Even one drink can affect your driving ability and, if you choose to drive, the consequences can be deadly,” Shulman said. “That’s why we’re reminding everyone to avoid the risk and always make sure you have a safe ride home, especially if you’re planning to celebrate during the upcoming Labor Day weekend.”
During the press event, D.C. Fire and EMS crews demonstrated what it takes to free an occupant from a wreck like many of the crashes they handle on D.C.-area roadways.
“We’ve replicated a drunk driving crash and you’ll see the emergency response after the vehicle crashed into the back of an ambulance,” the NHTSA said. “Let this be a reminder: drunk driving crashes are 100% preventable.”
Speakers also highlighted high death rates among inebriated drivers in the U.S. — NHTSA data from 2022 shows 32% of fatal traffic crashes involve impaired drivers.
WTOP’s Ivy Lyons contributed to this report.
