Law enforcement across Nebraska want this Labor Day holiday to be a safe one for all.
The Nebraska D-O-T - Highway Safety Office is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Safety Administration to keep drunk drivers off the road.
The "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign runs from August 16th through September 2nd.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said, "The Omaha Police Department is committed to the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Joining our law enforcement partners, we are striving for a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend.”
Thirty-three percent of all deadly accidents in Nebraska in 2018 were alcohol related an increase from the 30% in 2017. Those ages 21 to 34 most likely to be involved in an alcohol related accident. These drivers are in involved in 51% of alcohol involved crashes.
There were more than 1,600 alcohol involved crashes last year. Fifty-four involved were deadly and 682 involved an injury.
“Labor Day should be a time for friends and family to come together to enjoy the last days of summer,” said Mark Segerstrom, Administrator of the NDOT-HSO. “We need commitment from our community members that they’ll keep the streets free of drunk drivers so that everyone can have a safe holiday. This is a campaign to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it takes lives. Help us put an end to this senseless behavior,” Segerstrom said
During the Labor Day holiday period in 2018, there were 18 checkpoints statewide that involved 246 DWI or DUI arrests.
Photo courtesy of 6 News.