The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign goes through the Labor Day weekend. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer is encouraging drivers to be sober behind the wheel because data out of LSU shows 38 people died in crashes over Labor Day weekend between 2017 and 2021.
“Unfortunately 52 percent of those crashes involved alcohol. 392 people were injured in crashes that involved a driver who had been drinking on Labor Day weekend.”
In 2021, 349 people died in crashes in Louisiana where a driver had been drinking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Fischer says polysubstance abuse is a huge problem and it presents a greater challenge.
“Somebody gets pulled over for DUI, they’ll have alcohol and marijuana or opioids. That does make it more difficult to detect so our law enforcement do have new challenges these days.”
Fischer says there’s a responsible way to enjoy the holiday safely by planning for a sober driver. He said to keep an eye on your friends and step up if needed.
“Arrange for a sober driver, or enlist ride share like Uber or Lyft to take them to and fro to Labor Day parties, barbecues, whatever the case may be.
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