Labor Day holiday road signs urge motorists to drive sober
Last year, there were nearly 10,300 crashes on Pennsylvania roads that involved an impaired driver, 452 of them resulting in fatalities.
That included 315 impaired-driver crashes and 19 fatalities in Westmoreland County.
That’s why PennDOT District 12 is taking part in a National Crackdown Impaired Driving Campaign during the Labor Day holiday weekend.
From Friday through Monday, drivers in Westmoreland will see message signs along state roads advising them to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
The signs will be placed at spots that have seen a high number of crashes with impairment — including Route 30 at the intersection of Route 136, on the western edge of Greensburg, and Route 366 between New Kensington and Route 380.
“No matter where your upcoming holiday celebrations take you, it is important to plan ahead for a safe way home and to never get behind the wheel impaired,” said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Kalee Barnhart. “DUIs are 100% preventable.”
From 2017 through 2021, there were 59 fatalities in Westmoreland County resulting from impaired driving.
PennDOT officials note that even a small amount of alcohol can affect someone’s ability to drive. They suggest those who want to include alcohol in their plans should always designate a sober driver or use public transportation or rideshare options to get home.
Under state law, a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% is the legal limit for driving under the influence, applicable to most drivers. For drivers under 21, the legal age for alcohol consumption in Pennsylvania, a BAC of .02% can result in penalties including a 12- to 18-month license suspension, 48 hours to six months in jail, and fines ranging from $500 to $5,000.
In addition to alcohol, an impaired driver can be under the influence of illegal drugs, prescription medication or some combination of the two. PennDOT cautioned motorists to read their prescription drug labels and avoid driving if the medication indicates they shouldn’t after taking a dose.
Statewide police statistics indicate there were 42,409 DUI arrests in 2022, a decrease from 44,531 in 2021. There were 29,678 charges for drugged driving filed in 2022, down from 35,023 the previous year.
Visit PennDOT.pa.gov/safety for more information about impaired driving.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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