Warning: PA Police Plan To Ramp Up Patrols On Labor Day Weekend

HARRISBURG, PA — As Labor Day weekend approaches, motorists are reminded to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

PennPOT, state police and the Pennsylvania DUI Association issued the warning ahead of the holiday weekend from Friday, Sept. 2 to Monday, Sept. 5.

State and municipal police will be ramping up patrols during the long weekend.

In 2021, there were 945 crashes resulting in 12 fatalities statewide over Labor Day weekend, according to PennDOT.

Of the overall crashes, four fatalities were alcohol-related and three fatalities were drug-related.

"We want Pennsylvanians to celebrate the end of summer with a plan," said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. "If your celebration includes alcohol, plan ahead for a sober driver."

During the 2021 Labor Day holiday enforcement period, state troopers made 587 drunken driving arrests.

"We urge travelers to slow down, buckle up, and use caution when traveling over the holiday weekend," said Col. Robert Evanchick, state police commissioner.

Impaired driving details are funded through PennDOT's statewide annual distribution of more than $4.7 million from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Pennsylvania has approximately 250 drug recognition experts who assist in DUI investigations when drug-impaired driving is suspected.

Pennsylvania’s DUI Association has a traveling memorial trailer, showcasing a 25-foot wall printed with all of the names of the DUI victims.

"We honor and remember the lives lost because someone chooses to drive impaired," said C. Stephen Erni, the association’s executive director. “Do not drive impaired. Our collective goal is to end the suffering caused by an individual's choice to drive impaired."

More information about the Pennsylvania DUI Association is available here.