VERSAILLES, IN — Labor Day weekend is coming up, and the Indiana State Police is warning residents against drinking and driving.
Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post are taking part in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign to educate motorists about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. Now until Sept. 6, troopers will be increasing patrols and showing zero tolerance for anyone caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).
Driving under the influence can have severe and, in some cases, tragic consequences, so the Indiana State Police is asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out celebrating.
About 28 people die in the U.S. in drunk driving crashes every day. That’s approximately one person every 52 minutes and more than 10,000 annually, according to NHTSA.
In Indiana, drunk driving has been on the rise. Of the 898 traffic fatalities that occurred last year in the state, 151, or 17 percent, were alcohol-related. That’s up from 130 in 2019. During Labor Day weekend alone, there were 12 fatal collisions with one involving a driver over the legal limit.
“Impaired driving continues to take a terrible toll on our state and nation,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “While these overtime patrols are effective and will undoubtedly save lives, we can’t enforce our way out of this issue. It’s up to everyone to drive sober and make smart choices behind the wheel.”
In Indiana, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. In addition, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and a license suspension for up to one year.
However, impaired driving includes more than just alcohol. Drugs and even some over-the-counter medications can also cause impairment and can slow coordination, judgment, and reaction times on the road.
The consequences of driving while impaired can include thousands of dollars in legal fees, increased insurance rates, loss of license, a criminal record, and possible jail time.
To avoid these punishments, plan a safe and sober ride home before going out. Even if only one drink is consumed, designate a sober driver or plan to use a rideshare service, public transportation, or taxi. Motorists who encounter a possible impaired driver on the road are encouraged to call 911.
(Indiana State Police/Sgt. Stephen Wheeles press release)
