Georgia law enforcement officers have joined the national effort "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign to keep drunk drivers off the road prior to and during Labor Day weekend.
The high visibility campaign runs through September 5 and law enforcement will increase patrols and sobriety check points in hopes of reducing drunk driving crashes, injuries and fatalities.
More than 10,000 people died annually in drunk driving crashes nationally from 2010 to 2014, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration. In Georgia, there were 8,931 alcohol-related crashes with 5,250 injuries and 165 fatalities.
People need to realize that drunk driving is not only deadly, but illegal, and it s illegal 24/7/365, Governor's Office of Highway Safety Director Harris Blackwood said in a press release. "Unfortunately, drunk driving is still a problem in Georgia, with far too many people becoming statistics. It s not only your responsibility to drive sober, but to also be on the lookout for other drivers who could be drunk. It's everybody s business because everybody is put at risk when a drunk driver gets behind the wheel.
Blackwood and the GOHS encourages those who might be drinking during the holiday to download the Drive Sober, Georgia app. The app provides a list of sober ride programs by region.
