The national impaired driving crackdown runs from Aug. 17 through Labor Day.

National Labor Day Statistics (2020):

• During the 2020 Labor Day holiday period, there were 530 crash fatalities nationwide, 38% involved an impaired driver.

• Another concern is drivers between the ages of 21 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday period in 2020, 44% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of 0.08 or higher.

Pennsylvania 2021 Labor Day Statistics (Sept 3-6, 2021):

• There were 945 total crashes with 144, or 15%, involving an impaired driver. 106 were impaired on alcohol with four fatalities and 38 were impaired on drugs with three fatalities. In total, 58% (7 out of 13) of fatal crashes involved an impaired driver. That is higher than the national average.

The Pennsylvania DUI Association would like to remind all motorists that like alcohol, many drugs impair your ability to safely operate a vehicle. It doesn’t matter if they are prescription, over the counter, legal or illegal. Remember, if you feel different you drive different.

Over 11,000 people are killed annually across the country in impaired driving related crashes, with almost half of the drivers killed in crashes who were tested, testing positive for drugs. If you think driving while using marijuana won’t affect you, you are wrong: It has been shown that marijuana can slow reaction times and impair cognitive performance.

If you’re planning to use marijuana, any other impairing drug, or alcohol, do not drive.

Designate a sober driver who won’t be using any drugs or alcohol. Use public transportation or a ride-sharing service. Someone who is high or drunk should not be making decisions about driving, that’s why planning ahead is key.

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