“Although DUI-related fatalities have fallen in recent times, drug-related crashes are on the rise,” PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said of the event’s importance. “Through the collaboration, education, and enforcement efforts of these partners, we look to decrease crashes and fatalities this weekend and beyond.”
According to
the Pennsylvania State Police, during last year’s Labor Day weekend, there were
more than 2,800 total crashes in Pennsylvania; 281 of those were
alcohol-related that resulted in 13 fatalities. Of the total crashes, 106 were
drug-related, resulting in two fatalities.
“Many
impaired drivers today are mixing drugs, either prescription or illicit, and
could be using them in combination with alcohol, which is a very dangerous and
often deadly combination,” said Jennifer Smith, acting secretary of the
Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. “We want to be sure
people recognize the danger of drinking alcohol, using any kind of prescription
or illicit drugs, and driving. Be safe and consider the safety of others.”
As part of
the national impaired driving enforcement mobilization, which runs from August
15 through September 4, Pennsylvania's DUI task forces, the Pennsylvania State
Police, and local law enforcement statewide will conduct checkpoints and roving
patrols as part of the crackdown.
The legal
blood-alcohol content in Pennsylvania is 0.08 for motorists 21 years of age and
over. Driving under the influence penalties may include jail time, license
suspension, and fines of between $500 and $5,000.
“The
consequences of driving while impaired not only affect the individual impacted,
but entire families and communities as a whole,” says Dale Dangleben, M.D.,
FACS, trauma program medical director at Geisinger Holy Spirit. “Serious and
life-threatening traumatic injuries caused by those driving under the influence
can be prevented by simply not getting behind the wheel while impaired. Whether
the person is a chronic alcohol abuser or a casual drinker, they may think they
aren’t impaired. That isn’t the case. Alcohol consumption causes slowed
reactions, reduced coordination and poor judgment.”
As part of
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) effort to decrease
impaired driving, they developed the SaferRide smartphone app. The app can be
used to quickly pinpoint the user’s location and call a taxi or trusted friend
for a safe ride home. SaferRide is free and available for Android and Apple
devices.
