NHTSA Launches Labor Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

In advance of one of the busiest and deadliest holiday travel times due to alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today kicked off its annual Labor Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national enforcement mobilization campaign. 

At a press event today at the D.C. Fire & EMS Training Academy, as part of the national safety campaign, NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman debuted a new TV ad aimed at motorcycle riders titled “Don’t Roll the Throttle,” reminding the public that riding while impaired is dangerous and has serious legal consequences.

Sgt. Curtis Patterson of D.C. Fire & EMS; Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol; Entourage star Jerry Ferrara; Joshua Cagney, whose life was forever changed after driving while impaired; and Alisha Miles, an advocate for impaired driving prevention, joined Deputy Administrator Shulman at the event to urge the public to be responsible and secure a safe ride home if you’re planning to drink or use any impairing substances, including marijuana. 

“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,” Deputy Administrator 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.” 

The campaign is supported by a $15 million national media buy that runs through Sept. 2, featuring English- and Spanish-language ads for TV, radio and digital platforms. As part of the high-visibility enforcement campaign, law enforcement officers also will be working with their communities from Aug. 16 through Sept. 2 to prevent impaired driving. 

In addition to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, the campaign features additional public service messages, including If You Feel Different, You Drive Different – Drive High, Get a DUI.

Recent NHTSA data shows that alcohol-impaired-driving traffic fatalities comprised 32% of all traffic fatalities in 2022, and more than a third (40%) of U.S. states are above that national average. 

While traffic fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes decreased by 0.7% — from 13,617 to 13,524 fatalities from 2021 to 2022 — one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality still occurred on average every 39 minutes. Impaired driving puts everyone on our roads at risk, and preventing impaired driving is a U.S. Department of Transportation priority. The Department is addressing impaired driving and other risky driving behaviors through its National Roadway Safety Strategy and the safe system approach.

NHTSA urges everyone to plan ahead and never drive after consuming alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. Instead, designate a sober driver, or call a ride-hailing service or taxi to make sure you get home safely. If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 911. Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is illegal in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

For more information on impaired driving, please visit our website. For additional campaign materials, visit TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.