Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office joins National Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office is participating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign. This nationwide effort partners law enforcement agencies across the the region with the goal of deterring impaired driving and preventing senseless tragedies too often seen during the Labor Day holiday weekend.
During the 2023 Labor Day holiday there were 511 traffic crash fatalities nationwide. Of those fatalities, 36% (185) involved a drunk driver. Among impaired drivers killed, 68% had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher, nearly twice the legal limit. Statistics also show that 45% of those killed in crashes over the holiday were drunk, with BACs of .08 or higher.
Sheriff Matt Ward stressed the importance of making responsible choices: “Our top priority is keeping our community safe. We want our community members to know that if they plan to drink, they need to plan for a sober ride. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is about awareness and prevention, impaired driving is not only illegal, it’s deadly.”
The Sheriff’s Office encourages drivers to celebrate responsibly this Labor Day holiday by following a few key safety steps:
- Plan ahead: If you intend to drink, arrange for a designated driver or use a rideshare service.
- Never drive impaired: Impairment affects judgment and reaction time. Don’t wait until after drinking to make a plan.
- Be a good friend: If someone you know has been drinking, help arrange a sober ride.
- Report impaired drivers: If you see a suspected drunk driver, contact local law enforcement immediately.
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office is asking the community to join officers in making the roads safer this holiday. Together, law enforcement and drivers can help prevent needless crashes and save lives.
~ Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office
