Drunk or Drugged Drivers
States Cracking Down on Drunk Drivers
September 2nd is the Second Most Deadly Day of the Year on Roadways
Drunk driving is not an accident- it is a blatant disregard for human life. In 2009, nearly 11,000 people died in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal alcohol limit. This is why the Governors Highway Safety Association’s (GHSA’s) member State Highway Safety Offices are joining forces with federal and local officials to conduct the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Labor Day drunk driving crackdown.
The crackdown was marked this morning at an event at the Department of Transportation (DOT) led by secretary Ray Lahood and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administrator David Strickland. GHSA Chairman Vernon F. Betkey, Jr. spoke along with partners from MADD and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Speakers highlighted the fact that, from August 19 through September 5, police in every state will be out in full force conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols to catch drunk drivers. This high visibility law enforcement is supported by $13 million in national and state advertisements.
Chairman Betkey noted that Labor Day Weekend is a dangerous time on our nations roadways. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, September 2 is the second most deadly day of the year. According to Betkey, “To keep our friends and neighbors safe, our partners in law enforcement will be out in force looking for drunk and drugged drivers.”
States across the nation are actively participating in the crackdown. Among State Highlights:
The California Highway Patrol is mounting a holiday weekend Maximum Enforcement campaign, with 80 percent of available officers on the roads.
In Texas, numerous communities are conducting “No Refusal” weekends, an enforcement strategy that allows jurisdictions to obtain search warrants for blood samples from suspected impaired drivers who refuse breath tests.
Free AAA Tipsy Tow: Labor Day 2011
The American Automobile Association (AAA) is again running their holiday Free Tipsy Tow Home service for Labor Day (September 5 – 6, 2011) for anyone in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah. If you’re drinking and don’t think you should drive, give them a call. You don’t have to be a AAA member to get a free tow.
Write the number down and keep it in your car’s glove box:
800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP)
Just tell the AAA operator, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” and a truck will be on its way
You don’t have to be a AAA member to call (and neither does your tipsy friend), because he Tipsy Tow program is open to everyone. They offer a free five-mile tow home for drinking drivers and their vehicles, including potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders, and restaurant managers.
