Thursday, August 15, 2024 |
Washington, D.C.
As Prepared for Delivery
Welcome to everyone joining us virtually and here at the DC Fire and EMS Training Academy in Washington, DC. I’m Sophie Shulman, Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Labor Day weekend is one of the nation’s busiest holiday travel periods, and it’s also one of the deadliest. That’s in large part due to impaired-driving crashes.
One person was killed every 39 minutes in an alcohol-impaired-driving crash in 2022, leaving behind families, friends and communities who will never be whole again.
Our Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign reminds everyone of the consequences of alcohol- and drug-impaired driving. It also includes messaging aimed at motorcyclists, Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over, educating them of the risks of riding impaired.
Our message is urgent because alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities made up almost one-third of all traffic fatalities in 2022, with 13,524 lives lost.
Through September 2, our 15 million dollar national campaign will spread the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over message far and wide across television, radio, billboard and digital advertising.
We want everyone to think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking or using any impairing substances, including marijuana.
After all, driving under the influence of marijuana or other drugs is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Our companion messaging, Drive High, Get a DUI, educates marijuana users that cannabis impairs their ability to drive safely and can result in the same charges and consequences as driving drunk.
Starting tomorrow through Labor Day, law enforcement officers will also be supporting our enforcement mobilization campaign, helping to keep impaired drivers off our roads.
Identifying and removing impaired drivers from our interstates, highways and streets saves lives, and we expect that all officers will enforce traffic laws equitably and fairly.
Impaired driving is 100% preventable, and there are so many options besides getting behind the wheel.
Arrange for a sober driver in advance, or use ridesharing, taxis or public transit to get home safely.
And if you’re hosting a party over the Labor Day weekend, or any time of year, make sure all of your guests have a safe and sober ride home.
After all, impaired driving is a choice. It’s a choice that could cost you your job, your freedom, your life, or the life of someone else on the road.
Use a designated driver, take public transit, call a cab, or order a rideshare and get home safely. And never let a friend get behind the wheel or on a motorcycle if they’re impaired.
This Labor Day weekend, and every day, we want everyone to remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Don’t risk your life or the lives of everyone on the road with you.
Remember, drunk driving crashes are 100% preventable. Always drive sober.
Thank you very much, and please stay safe.