States Come Forward to Put a Stop to Drunken Driving

Drunken driving has been an unswerving menace on the roads, taking over 11000 lives in the past year, more than any other occurrence. While driving with alcohol can prove fatal to the driver, it poses serious danger to other vehicles and pedestrians too. To curb drunken driving and prevent misfortune, especially during the Labor Day weekend, Safe Highway Safety Offices, a part of Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has collaborated with local and federal authorities to carry out a ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign.

The campaign was kick started by DOT Secretary, Ray LaHood, and NHTSA Administrator, David Strickland. The Police Department too, has joined hands in the mission and will spread its forces far and wide to conduct sobriety checkpoints and patrol extensively to catch hold of drunk drivers. The check will be carried out between August 19 and September 5, the most risky time of the month. An amount of $13 million has been invested in advertisements to make the public aware of such steps being taken.

GHSA Chairman Berkley believes Labor Day, which falls on September 2, to be the most dangerous time on the road and thus promises the public, the support of the forces to look for drugged and drunk drivers. He added that ignition interlocks in cars is a potential technology to curtail drunk driving besides manual checkups. This device attached to the car can gauge the presence of alcohol and disable the ignition to thwart movement.

Various States across the nation have been an active participant to the campaign. To check out details with respect to steps being taken in states across the country, please visit GHSA Site.

Tags: Campaigns, Drunken Driving, GHSA announcement, GHSA News

Category: News, Regulations