ACPD To Take Part In Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over Campaign

ARLINGTON COUNTY, VA — The Arlington County Police Department is again partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during the high-visibility national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, to remind community members to celebrate safely.

Starting Wednesday through Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, motorists nationwide can expect to see increased messages about the dangers of driving under the influence, coupled with enforcement and increased saturation patrols to identify and arrest impaired drivers.

The campaign aims to drastically reduce drunk driving on the nation’s roadways through a two-pronged approach of education and enforcement.

Police said the statistics prove that there is still a lot of work to do to put an end to drunk driving. According to NHTSA, 11,654 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide in 2020 that involved an alcohol-impaired driver.

During the 2020 Labor Day holiday period (6:00 p.m. September 4, 2020 – 5:59 a.m. September 8, 2020) there were 530 fatal crashes nationwide. This is why ACPD is working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, it is a matter of life and death. As you head out to the Labor Day festivities, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

The Arlington County Police Department encourages community members to follow these tips to ensure all travelers reach their destinations safely:

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride sharing service to get home safely.
• If you see a suspected impaired driver on the roadway, report to your local law enforcement. To report a suspected impaired driver in Arlington County, call the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
• Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

For more information about the dangers of drunk driving, visit the NHTSA website

News Release from the Arlington County Police Department