King of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), West Chester University, Chester County District Attorney, Chester County Highway Traffic Safety, West Chester Police Department, and Pennsylvania DUI Association held an event today at West Chester University to promote safe driving during the Labor Day holiday.
"As the Labor Day weekend approaches, keeping the roads in and around West Chester safe for everyone is a top priority. We know this is a time when families are traveling, students are returning, and our community is on the move. We ask all drivers to buckle up, put their phones away, slow down, and never drive under the influence. Let's make this holiday a safe one for our families, neighbors, and visitors to our region," said West Chester Borough Chief of Police Joshua Lee.
During the holiday period, which runs through September 1, local and state law enforcement will target impaired drivers through enforcement details. Motorists found driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 or over will be arrested.
"One bad decision to drink and drive can be the difference between making it home safely and taking part in a fully preventable crime. Getting behind the wheel of a car while drunk is illegal, selfish, and potentially deadly. In preparation for the holiday, designate a non-drinking driver or use a rideshare service,” said Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe.
According to data from PennDOT, during the Labor Day travel period in 2024, there were 236 crashes and three fatalities in the Philadelphia region. This travel period began on Friday, August 30, and concluded on Monday, September 2. Of these incidents, 18 crashes were related to impaired driving.
Impairment can affect a person's judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time, impacting others on the road. It's important to note that alcohol consumption is not the only cause of a DUI arrest. Drivers who are under the influence of illegal drugs or prescription medication are also at risk of being arrested for DUI. Driving under the influence of drugs is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. This stresses the importance of understanding how prescribed medications affect your ability to operate a vehicle safely.
It is recommended that those who choose to walk as an alternative mode of transportation have a designated walker to help them safely travel to and from their destination. Impaired pedestrians can also make poor decisions on the road, putting themselves at risk.
The public is encouraged to always plan by designating a sober driver or a walker, arranging for alternative transportation, and always wearing a seatbelt when in a vehicle. Wearing a seatbelt is the best defense in the event of a crash.
"The Pennsylvania DUI Association would like you to remember that Labor Day is all about celebrating the American worker and enjoying the long weekend. Let's make it one to remember, not one you will never forget. Impaired driving is one hundred percent preventable. Please drive sober or get a ride," said Pennsylvania DUI Association Program Administrator Jim French.
To learn more about PennDOT's highway safety efforts, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/safety.
PennDOT’s media resources web page offers social media-sized graphics for numerous transportation-related campaigns, including safety topics such as aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving, and seat belts for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways 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 1,000 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.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Krys Johnson, krysjohnso@pa.gov
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