By Chadron Police Department
Chadron, Nebraska — During the Labor Day holiday, including the end of summertime and the busy Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working alongside the law enforcement community in Chadron, Nebraska to decrease impaired driving. From August 19 through September 5, the Chadron Police Department will be participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement period. In support of the law enforcement community’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see officers working together during this time to take drunk drivers off the roads. No matter how you plan to celebrate the end of the season this year, make sure you plan it safely.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 11,654 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2020 that involved an alcohol-impaired driver. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2016 to 2020, and one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 45 minutes in 2020. This is why the Chadron Police Department is working together 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 festivities during the end of summer and Labor Day weekend, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
“We’re fortunate to live in a community where we work closely with our friends and neighbors that know it’s our first priority to keep people safe. Throughout the year we rely on our community members to help keep our streets free of drunk drivers; we want everyone to have a safe summertime and Labor Day holiday.” said Sergeant Cloyd. “This awareness effort is designed to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and to help prevent loss of life. We look forward to our continued partnership between law enforcement and drivers helping us protect our community and putting an end to this senseless behavior.” he said.
During the 2020 Labor Day holiday period (6 p.m. September 4 – 5:59 a.m. September 8), there were 530 crash fatalities nationwide. Forty-six percent of those fatalities involved drivers who had been drinking (.01+ BAC). More than one-third (38%) of the fatalities involved drivers who were drunk (.08+ BAC), and one-fourth (25%) involved drivers who were driving with a BAC almost
twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC). Age is a particularly risky factor: Among 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 .08 or higher.
The Chadron Police Department and NHTSA are reminding citizens of the many resources available to get them home safely. Drunk driving is not acceptable behavior, especially when there are so many safe alternatives to get you home safely.
The Chadron Police Department recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving:
· 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 service to get home safely.
· If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the Chadron Police Department, or dial 911.
· Do you 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 on impaired driving,
· Stop by the Chadron Police Department located at:
o 125 Main Street, Chadron, Nebraska or call (308) 432-0510. · Follow your Police Department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chadronpolice · Or visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
We wish everyone a safe and happy driving experience.