PennDOT, State Police Urge Drivers to Plan Ahead, Designate a Sober Driver for Independence Day Holiday

PennDOT, State Police Urge Drivers to Plan Ahead, Designate a Sober Driver
for Independence Day Holiday

6/30/2016-HARRISBURG

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania
State
Police and local police are partnering to help decrease alcohol and drug-
related crashes and fatalities, as well as aggressive driving behavior,
through
the Independence Day holiday weekend.

"Though Independence Day is a time for celebration, we urge Pennsylvanians
to
plan ahead and designate a sober driver throughout the holiday weekend,"
PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said. "Drivers should also avoid
aggressive driving behavior and always wear your seat belt so that we all
get
to our destinations safety and spend time with family and friends."

According to PennDOT data, last year there were 330 alcohol-related crashes

resulting in 11 fatalities from Friday, June 26, to Sunday, July 5. This
marked
an increase from 2014, when there were 326 alcohol-related crashes and 11
fatalities from Friday June 27th through Sunday July 6, 2014. Also, during
the
holiday period last year, there were 99 drug-related crashes and four
fatalities in those crashes, an increase from 85 drug-related crashes and
four
fatalities in 2014.

Police this year will focus their enforcement efforts on speeders,
aggressive
drivers, seat-belt use and those who drink and drive during the holiday
period.

"We urge motorists to buckle up and use caution when traveling over the
holiday," said State Police Commissioner Tyree C. Blocker. "Troopers will
be on
the lookout for traffic violations and impaired drivers, so please obey the

speed limit and don't get behind the wheel impaired. To ensure motorists
get to
their destinations safely, remember to keep distractions to a minimum while

driving."

As part of this high-visibility impaired-driving enforcement effort, the
Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement will conduct
checkpoints
and roving patrols. This effort is funded through PennDOT's statewide
distribution of more than $4.7 million in federal funds from the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The public can join the conversation on social media by using #drivesober
and
#designateddriver.

Visit www.penndot.gov/safety for more information on impaired driving and
PennDOT's other traffic-safety initiatives.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ashley Schoch, PennDOT, 717-783-8800; Adam Reed, State
Police,
717-783-5556

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