CENTRE COUNTY — As Labor Day weekend approaches, state officials are reminding Pennsylvanians that celebrations should not come at the cost of safety on the roads.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and safety partners are encouraging drivers to make responsible choices before hitting the highway.
PSP and local police departments will be stepping up impaired driving enforcement through Sept. 1 as part of the National Crackdown on Impaired Driving campaign. The effort is funded by more than $6.2 million in annual federal safety funds distributed by PennDOT to curb alcohol- and drug-related crashes.
The push comes with sobering numbers from last year’s Labor Day holiday. According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website, between Aug. 30 and Sept. 2, 2024, there were 1,002 crashes across the state that left 13 people dead and 722 injured. Of those crashes, 106 involved alcohol and 27 involved drugs.
“These numbers should be zero,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll in a press release. “Crashes involving impaired drivers are completely preventable. If your celebration includes alcohol or drugs, make a plan to get home safely without getting behind the wheel impaired. Never choose to drive impaired.”
PSP troopers arrested 514 people for DUI and investigated 65 impaired-driving crashes during last year’s holiday weekend, three of which were fatal.
“Removing impaired drivers from our roads saves lives,” said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris in a press release. “Our troopers will be out in force to help ensure everyone gets home safely. Please celebrate the holiday weekend responsibly.”
Officials stressed that impaired driving goes beyond alcohol. Pennsylvania has about 250 Drug Recognition Experts trained to identify drivers impaired by drugs or medications, often working alongside officers in DUI investigations.
For those with travel plans, PennDOT encourages checking traffic conditions before hitting the road. The 511PA system offers real-time updates, holiday traffic comparisons and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras across 40,000 miles of roadway. The free service is available online at 511PA.com, through a mobile app, by calling 5-1-1 or via regional alerts on Twitter.
The message from officials is clear: celebrate but do it responsibly. Make plans, use a designated driver and don’t let a holiday end in tragedy.
