Uniontown, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) partnered with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Fayette County Commissioners, Pennsylvania DUI Association, and Highway Safety Network to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of impaired driving.
Fifty-four flags were placed outside the Fayette County Courthouse – each one representing a life lost in the county due to impaired driving from 2021 to 2025.
As part of the event, the Fayette County Commissioners issued a proclamation designating July 2026 as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” month, reinforcing the importance of sober driving throughout the summer travel season.
“Last year alone, 264 people were killed and 679 were seriously injured in impaired driving crashes across Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Safety Press Officer Emily Stambaugh. “Each one of those deaths was entirely preventable.”
PennDOT reminds drivers that impairment isn’t limited to alcohol. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and illegal substances can all hinder a driver’s ability to drive safely.
The price of impaired driving goes far beyond a citation. Costs can escalate quickly – from legal fees, fines, and court costs to increased insurance premiums and license suspension. The consequences often extend into personal and professional lives, including potential jail time, community service, and even job loss due to court appearances or incarceration.
The message is clear: if you’re impaired, don’t drive. Designate a sober driver, use public transportation, or call a rideshare service - because every life lost is one too many.
For more information on summer driving safety, visit www.pa.gov/dotsafety.
Travelers can check conditions on major roads by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects. Subscribe to PennDOT news and find transportation results in Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict12.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Stambaugh, emstambaug@pa.gov or 724-425-3018
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