July 4th Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Detective Thomas McMahon, Monroe County Detective & Monroe County Coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program 570-517-3025

Maintain your independence this indepenDENCE day:

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Stroudsburg, PA: This Independence Day, the Monroe County District Attorney's Office and other law enforcement agencies are participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign. During the holiday weekend, law enforcement will work to put an end to drunk driving. In support of law enforcement's dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you'll see increased enforcement on the roads with zero tolerance for those who drive impaired.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving accounted for 29% (10,511) of motor vehicle traffic deaths in 2018. With Fourth of July festivities wrapping up in the evening or late at night, more cars will be on the roads at night. In 2018 alone, 193 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the July 4th holiday period (6 p.m. July 3 to 5:59 a.m. July 5). Forty percent (78) of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. This compares to 2017 when 38% of the July 4 holiday period fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.

Our Message to the Public:

"The message remains the same: Drunk driving is deadly and illegal, and it's illegal in every state in this country. We want our community to stay safe, so make no mistake: If we catch you driving under the influence of alcohol, we will arrest you, and you'll receive a DUI. Under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after you've been drinking. Doing so endangers you, your passengers, and everyone on the road with you. If youre heading to Fourth of July parties this summer, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."

Celebrate with a Plan:

This Fourth of July, the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, and NHTSA urge drivers to designate a sober driver before heading out for the day. If you plan on drinking, plan on not driving.

The Monroe County District Attorney's Office and NHTSA recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving:

· Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride sharing service to get home safely.

· If available, use your community's sober ride program or call Uber or Lyft.

· If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact 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.

This Fourth of July, commit to only driving 100-percent sober. Don't lose your independence on Independence Day, and don't be a deadly risk to yourself and other innocent people. Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. For more information on impaired driving, visit https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/drunk-driving/drive-sober-or-get-pulled-over/4th-july.