The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) is reminding everyone that the Labor Day holiday weekend will not end well for individuals sitting drunk in a jail cell.
The GOHS and Georgia law enforcement officers are urging anyone planning to include alcohol in their holiday celebration to also include a plan for a ride with a sober driver before the weekend begins.
State troopers, sheriff’s deputies, and police officers will be working throughout the holiday weekend to prevent crashes by taking all drunk drivers they find on the road to jail.
“We know there are going to be plenty of people on the road for one last trip before the end of summer, and we want everyone to get to their destination safely,” said Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Allen Poole. “The only way to prevent people from dying in drunk driving crashes is for everyone to make the smart decision to not drink and drive this holiday weekend and every day of the year.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 378 people killed in traffic crashes in the United States during the 78-hour Labor Day holiday travel period in 2018. 38 percent of fatal traffic crashes during the 2018 Labor Day holiday travel period involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
The Georgia State Patrol reported that nine people were killed in crashes during the 78-hour 2019 Labor Day holiday weekend travel period that began at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, August 30 and ended at 11:59 P.M. on Monday, September 2.
According to NHTSA, alcohol was a factor in one out of four traffic crashes in Georgia in 2018 when 375 people died in alcohol-related crashes. This is a five percent increase from 2017 when 356 people lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes.
“It is inexcusable that even one person has to die in a drunk driving crash because these type of crashes are completely preventable,” said Poole. “Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking is a selfish decision that can ruin not only your life but the lives of others.”
Eliminating drunk driving on roads is a team effort. The GOHS encourages everyone can to promote responsible driving by adhering to the following steps:
– Plan a ride home with a sober driver before going out
– If someone has been drinking, do not let them get behind the wheel
– When hosting a party, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver
– Always wear a seat belt, as it is the best defense against impaired drivers