Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

2010 Labor Day Crackdown

August 20 - September 6

All states and territories have made it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher. Despite these laws, nearly 12,000 people nationwide during 2008 were killed in crashes involving drivers or motorcycle riders with BACs of .08 or higher. That would be equal to about 30 jumbo jets crashing each year.

No one should ever get that late-night phone call from the police telling you your loved one has died due to an impaired driver. This is why GHSA Members are joining forces with law enforcement officers across the country to take part in the annual nationwide Labor Day Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest enforcement effort to crack down on impaired driving and reduce roadway fatalities.

State-specific crackdown efforts are listed below. Drunk driving laws and additional resources are available on the GHSA Drunk Driving Laws page. For more information on the national campaign, visit www.stopimpaireddriving.org.

Alaska—The Bureau of Highway Patrol, Soldotna Wildlife Troopers and 18 local law enforcement agencies are conducting saturation patrols on over 80 percent of Alaska’s roads during the Labor Day crackdown. Multi-jurisdictional teams are cruising through target areas in two of Alaska’s four regions. The Fairbanks Police Department plans to stage officers in unmarked vehicles and work with uniformed personnel to apprehend impaired drivers leaving the bars. In addition to the paid targeted media campaign, statewide press releases and local radio spots are being planned by the Alaska Highway Safety Office and the Kenai Police Department.
Arkansas—The Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office is combining safety belt and drunk driving messages in a Booze and Belts Labor Day crackdown on drunk drivers and those who don’t buckle up. The campaign kickoff media event, at State Police Headquarters in Little Rock, focuses on the seat belt rollover convincer and the new high tech 42-foot mobile breath alcohol testing unit, the BATmobile. One-hundred and twenty-six agencies are conducting saturation patrols and/or sobriety checkpoints statewide. The mobilization is accompanied by $275,000 of paid TV, cable, radio, outdoor, online and sports marketing ads targeting men ages 18-34. Earned media includes television and radio talk show appearances and signage on highway variable message boards.
California—The California Avoid DUI Campaign and individual local agencies have law enforcement staffing approximately 200 DUI checkpoints, multiple local roving DUI saturation patrols, and several dozen multi-agency DUI task force operations. In addition, warrant and probation sweeps are targeting repeat offenders, along with court sting operations for DUI suspects who leave court and disobey court orders not to drive on suspended licenses. An 18 day earned media campaign is planned in 42 counties, with daily updates on DUI arrests, upcoming notices of the nightly enforcements, and reports of fatal DUI crashes occurring overnight. Police, Sheriffs and the California Highway Patrol—a total of over 450 agencies—are coordinating campaign efforts in partnership with NHTSA’s national campaign.
Colorado—The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and statewide law enforcement agencies are conducting increased patrols, saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the crackdown period. The media focus this year is on the issue of drug-impaired driving. In 2009, half of all impaired-driving fatalities in Colorado involved drugs. Colorado continues its partnership with the Colorado Rockies baseball club to raise awareness of DUI enforcement during the crackdown. New this year is a sponsorship with the Denver Broncos, which holds two pre-season football games during the enforcement period. The partnership includes a giant banner on the outside of the stadium facing Interstate 25, in-game announcements and promotion of a designated driver program. CDOT is also conducting outreach to college students and fans attending the Rocky Mountain Showdown football game that highlights the rivalry between the University of Colorado and Colorado State University.
Connecticut—In Connecticut, sixty-seven DUI checkpoints are planned throughout the Labor Day enforcement period. Law enforcement are also conducting numerous DUI saturation patrols. All told, the state has nearly 100 individual municipalities and resident trooper towns with DUI enforcement projects. Throughout August, nine comprehensive public outreach events (on seatbelts, safety seats, drunk driving and motorcycle safety) are scheduled to be be held at area safety fairs, sporting events, and concerts. The Department of Transportation's Law Enforcement Liaison is conducting site visits to awarded municipal and state law enforcement agencies to reinforce the importance of year-round sustained enforcement. In addition, NHTSA enforcement logos are strategically placed throughout most of the public sporting event arenas and ball fields and twenty-three variable message boards are displaying the Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. message on interstates and major state routes.
Delaware—Delaware has scheduled 15 checkpoints and 273 saturation patrols during the crackdown period. In all, 32 state and local police agencies, representing most of Delaware's law enforcement community, are participating. The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is increasing its paid public awareness messages, using a combination of billboards, radio and print ads, as well as Internet, transit, and indoor advertising. OHS is also capitalizing on the earned media in local markets across the state with press releases covering results from checkpoints and DUI stats. Information being distributed to the corporate community includes table tents, flyers and posters that highlight Delaware’s DUI laws and penalties. The national crackdown runs in conjunction with Delaware's Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign–a six-month regional sobriety checkpoint initiative aimed at arresting impaired drivers, which will last through New Year's Eve.
Florida—Law enforcement agencies in Florida are stepping up enforcement through checkpoints and saturation patrols. Agencies are conducting local press events, capitalizing on the earned media in local markets across the state. Law enforcement agencies are participating in the 19th annual Hands Across the Border (HATB) with the neighboring states of Alabama and Georgia. Press events are being held across north Florida in conjunction with HATB. State Law Enforcement Liaisons (LELs) are conducting local area network meetings and distributing public information and education materials to law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Local law enforcement agencies are encouraged to contact media outlets to discuss enforcement activities during the crackdown period. Traffic Safety Office staff and members of the LEL team are also working with the Florida Association of Chiefs of Police and the Florida Sheriffs Association to encourage participation in the crackdown.
Georgia—The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety's Operation Zero Tolerance is part of a regional campaign effort that coincides with the national crackdown. More than 600 local police and sheriff’s offices, along with the State Patrol and Department of Public Safety officers, are stepping up enforcement through high visibility sobriety roadchecks and DUI saturation patrols. The mobilization kicks off with a statewide news conference on August 28. The paid media campaign includes a combination of ads, such as gas pump topper and gas station-TV ads, JumboTron messaging at UGA football games, and live promos at Atlanta Motor Speedway NASCAR events. Messaging includes English and Spanish-language ads on TV and radio, as well as online ads and social media. The Department of Transportation supports the campaign with variable message boards on Georgia’s interstates. In addition, law enforcement is participating in the 19th annual Hands Across the Border initiative, with press events scheduled at welcome centers and state lines throughout the south, where Georgia officers will line up with law enforcement partners from five border states to greet motorists and remind them that safe driving doesn't stop at the state line. For more information, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.
Hawaii—Hawaii's four county police departments are conducting high visibility enforcement throughout the national crackdown, continuing the state's “52/12” enforcement program by increasing the frequency of sobriety checkpoints to a minimum of 52 sobriety checkpoints per year in each county. Each county police department determines the dates and locations based on their own traffic crash data. In addition to the enforcement efforts, the Hawaii Department of Transportation is airing Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. TV and radio spots beginning with the national crackdown and continuing throughout the year.
Idaho—In Idaho, fifty law enforcement agencies will perform overtime emphasis patrols from Aug. 27 to Sept. 7. Idaho has produced an in-house television ad as well as radio spots (in English and Spanish) that will air Aug. 17 through Sept 13. In addition, billboards statewide will display the message Love Your Family? Don't Drink and Drive. Idaho is using electronic billboards to rotate the message with other vendor messages, so the driving public is not seeing a static board that never changes and can be easily ignored. Also, the Idaho Transportation Department is using dynamic message signs to display the message Plan to drink? Don't drive. Arrive Alive.
Illinois—Illinois’ You Drink & Drive. You Lose. Labor Day crackdown aims to continue Illinois’ recent reductions in motor vehicle fatalities and injuries by focusing on lowering the number of alcohol-involved and unrestrained fatalities that occur late at night. More than 300 state and local law enforcement agencies are participating by conducting impaired driving and late night belt enforcement details, including more than 200 roadside safety checks. Earned media messaging focuses on the high number of late night fatalities that involve drinking drivers and unbuckled motorists and the combination of the Click It or Ticket and You Drink & Drive. You Lose. messages. News events are being conducted around the state, as well as a two-week, statewide media buy featuring radio, cable and broadcast TV, online, out-of-home and Internet ads reminding motorists that if they are caught driving impaired or unbuckled at night, they will be arrested and/or ticketed.
Indiana—To raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, Indiana is undertaking a paid, statewide radio, TV and outdoor advertising campaign in support of the Labor Day crackdown. The Ride Safe. Ride Sober. message will target motorcycle riders during “Motorcycles on Meridian,” an annual gathering of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts in downtown Indianapolis to kick off the start of the Red Bull MotoGP race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A Ride Safe. Ride Sober advertisement featuring 2006 MotoGP Champion Nicky Hayden is being displayed on the wall of a downtown building for all attendees to see. For earned media, Indiana is planning a kickoff event on August 17 to announce Blitz 64 at Bethel College. This event will focus on young, particularly college age, drivers. Josh Szuba, son of a Mishawaka police officer recently killed by an impaired driver, will speak, providing prospective for young motorists about the importance of sober driving.
Iowa—City, county, and state enforcement agencies are working in partnership to conduct enforcement aimed at impaired driving and other traffic violations. Targeted enforcement often occurs during evening hours, and many agencies utilize overtime funding provided by the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB). In the Des Moines metro area alone, Iowa GTSB anticipates participation by up to 20 law enforcement agencies. Smaller projects will involve two or three agencies working an area. Iowa continues to encourage law enforcement to focus their efforts in areas of the most concern and at the times of most impaired driving activity. Media strategies include paid media targeting males between the ages of 19-34 as well as advertising on college athletic websites and Facebook. Community outreach is taking place at the Iowa State Fair from August 12-22. GTSB is also issuing a press release inviting the media to cover this topic and highlighting the 2009 FARS data, expected to be available at the beginning of the crackdown.
Kansas—The Kansas Traffic Safety Section is kicking off the crackdown with a media event on August 12, to be held in Wichita, the largest city in the state. Speakers include the Deputy Chief in charge of the Field Services Unit of the Wichita Police Department and the Administrative Traffic Lieutenant. The media event is being staged at the Wichita Police Department and will follow the Police Department’s weekly press briefing attended by all the local media: four TV stations, multiple radio stations and the local newspaper. Kansas is spending about $130,000 in paid media, including TV, cable, radio and online ads, which also feature impaired motorcycle riding. Kansas is funding overtime enforcement for more than 100 local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol during the crackdown period.
Kentucky—The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) is hosting a press conference in each of the two major media markets (August 19 and 26), with smaller press conferences to be held August 17 and 18 in five other cities to extend the reach statewide. Television and radio spots will run throughout the campaign in conjunction with earned media opportunities and outdoor advertising. The campaign is also being promoted on the KOHS website as well as Twitter and Facebook, and yard signs with the campaign logo will be placed in various locations throughout the state.
Louisiana—The national Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. campaign continues to be one of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission's (LHSC) largest endeavors. In addition to the statewide saturation patrols, checkpoints and supporting paid media outreach, the LHSC is coordinating with multiple jurisdictions to implement "No Refusal" weekends in conjunction with the Labor Day holiday weekend. These efforts bring new partnerships and resources to law enforcement, judicial personnel and emergency services.
Maine—The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety has partnered with more than 78 Maine law enforcement agencies, including 11 county Sheriffs departments and the Maine State Police to conduct OUI (Operating Under the Influence) patrols and roadblocks for the state's 2010 summer enforcement campaign, which runs from July 1 to September 6. Departments are conducting extra enforcement activities during the two weeks of the national Labor Day crackdown. All participating agencies will conduct details or roadblocks during the hours they determine to be most productive for enforcement. Police also are working with their local media outlets to alert the public. Maine's OUI radio and TV media spots receive heightened air time during the OUI enforcement period.
Maryland—On August 24, the Maryland Highway Safety Office (HSO) is launching its six-month impaired driving enforcement and education program, Checkpoint Strikeforce, with a nighttime press event at Fells Point in Baltimore. The event includes representatives from State Highway Administration, Maryland Transportation Administration, the Baltimore Ravens, Yellow Cab and Safe Ride Solutions among others, focusing on the safe alternatives to driving drunk. Nearly 75 percent of all the law enforcement jurisdictions throughout the state are participating in Maryland's 2010 crackdown. Twenty-five departments are conducting 176 enforcement operations: 150 saturation patrols and 26 sobriety checkpoints. The efforts are being publicized both pre- and post-operation through local newspapers, radio stations and some TV interviews. In addition, the state is distributing information about impaired driving enforcement and prevention to local businesses and student programs.
Massachusetts—The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Highway Safety Division has provided the State Police and more than 250 municipal and campus police departments grant funding to conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints during the upcoming mobilization. Many checkpoints will utilize the State Police's two Breath Alcohol Testing (B.A.T.) Mobiles. During a press event, a B.A.T. Mobile is being dedicated to a state trooper who recently died in the line of duty. A second press event will spotlight the extra enforcement around Labor Day Weekend, complemented by a statewide information campaign involving: radio ads (in Spanish and English); billboards; movie theatre advertising; and variable message boards. Banners, literature, and a sample news release are being distributed to help law enforcement conduct local earned media and community outreach. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.
Michigan—The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning is promoting the end-of-summer drunk driving crackdown with news events in Ottawa, Saginaw and Macomb counties where it will unveil its new iPhone app, the Michigan DUI Tracker – a new means of making drivers aware of enforcement and encourage people who have been drinking to make a call for a safe, sober ride home. Law enforcement agencies in 30 counties will work additional drunk driving patrols during the crackdown period.
Minnesota—Minnesota's activities include extra enforcement supported by a statewide paid media buy (TV/cable, radio, mobile trucksides, gas pump toppers, indoor bar restrooms, alternative print weeklies, online, etc.). Promotional efforts include distributing bar coasters and window clings and large banners for posting in small communities. Media efforts include a double-header news conference launch on August 20: a morning news conference, followed by evening “parade” of law enforcement vehicles traveling through the heart of the Minneapolis bar scene. Minnesota aims to sustain enforcement with exclusive pitches to media during the campaign and promotion on Facebook and Twitter.
Mississippi—Mississippi law enforcement agencies are conducting call back details, safety checkpoints and saturation patrols statewide. The Mississippi Governors Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) is sending out LEAKs (Law Enforcement Action Kit) to law enforcement agencies, schools, and school resource officers, who publicize the Don’t Drink and Drive and Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest messages at the schools, in local newspapers, and on TV and radio spots for earned media credit. Paid media is being disseminated on television and radio stations statewide. The office is also conducting nine Law Enforcement Liaison Traffic Enforcement Network meetings to publicize the message and encourage traffic enforcement officers to work vigorously on DUI enforcement. After the campaign, agencies submit a completed blitz report documenting all enforcement and earned media activities, which are compiled and sent to NHTSA.
Missouri—Missouri's annual You Drink & Drive. You Lose. campaign takes place Aug. 20 through Sept. 6. The timely coordination of Missouri's new DWI legislation that goes into effect in August and the annual campaign urges drivers to think about the consequences of impaired driving this August and in the months ahead. Law enforcement are participating in statewide sobriety checkpoints and DWI saturation patrols enforcing Missouri’s DWI laws and keeping impaired drivers off the road. At the same time, advertising messages remind drivers of the consequences of impaired driving. Missouri is placing paid advertising on cable, radio and the Internet, in movie theaters, as well as on ice box wraps at various locations across the state. Creative materials and impaired driving statistics can be found at www.saveMOlives.com.
Nevada—Nevada has 28 law enforcement agencies, covering more than 95 percent of the population, conducting check points and saturation patrols. Approximately $98,000 in overtime funding from the Office of Traffic Safety and $105,000 in paid advertising (TV and radio) are enhancing the national ad campaign. Press conferences are being held in both Las Vegas and Reno to kick off the DUI enforcement event.
New Jersey—A news release announcing the start of the crackdown is being distributed to all daily and weekly newspapers, web-based media outlets, and radio and television stations across the state. Broadcast media in the Philadelphia and New York City area are also being contacted. During the crackdown, regional media are invited to an evening checkpoint to observe and report on the operation. In addition, when police departments receive their grant packages for the program, a sample news release with recent DWI statistics and other relevant information is included. Police departments are encouraged to distribute this release to local media in and around their municipalities for additional coverage of the crackdown. An additional news release will announce the results of the crackdown.
New York—As part of New York's continuing efforts to combat impaired driving, more than 500 local law enforcement agencies and the State Police are conducting saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the state from August 20 through September 6, as part of the national Over the Limit. Under Arrest. campaign. The campaign is being supported by local STOP-DWI Association public awareness events, and a kickoff press conference is being held in the Capital to announce the crackdown and to remind motorists of New York’s new “Leandra’s Law," which requires ignition interlocks for all misdemeanor and felony DWI convictions.
North Carolina—The North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program will conduct its annual Booze It & Lose It campaign over the Labor Day holiday. With the help of law enforcement agencies across the state, there will be stepped up patrols and checkpoints in high alcohol-related crash areas. Multi-agency checkpoints will be held in Charlotte, Fayetteville and Raleigh to include a media blitz in those areas.
North Dakota—North Dakota is conducting heightened overtime DUI enforcement throughout the state during the national crackdown. Law enforcement officials are conducting local earned media events to enhance the visibility of the enforcement efforts. Paid media will air in the form of TV, radio, newsprint and gas topper advertising with the DDOLUA message.
Ohio—In addition to using both earned and paid media to highlight the campaign, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) is coordinating an Ohio OVI Checkpoint Weekend to kick off the national mobilization on Aug. 20. (OVI stands for "Operating a Vehicle Impaired.") OTSO is encouraging each of the OVI Task Forces, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, sheriffs’ offices and local police departments to participate in this event by conducting sobriety checkpoints Aug. 20, 21 and 22. Both grantees and non-grantees are invited to participate. At the conclusion of the weekend, all statistics are being gathered, and a press release is being issued, announcing results. Each participating agency will receive a press release template to use specifically for its department’s results.
Oklahoma—More than 150 law enforcement agencies are expected to support this impaired driving mobilization. The combined statewide effort will include both paid and earned media as well as the potential for agencies to receive an incentive award for participation. Kickoff press events are scheduled by the several regional Traffic Safety Committees located throughout the state. Agencies can obtain support materials and sign up to participate using an online electronic system through the Highway Safety Office website at www.ohso.ok.gov.
Pennsylvania—PennDOT is partnering with the Pennsylvania DUI Association to deliver an Ignition Interlock themed earned media message. Publicity of the Ignition Interlock Program is geared to deter impaired drivers by educating the public on the inconveniences and extra costs that a DUI can bring. Statewide press events are planned, featuring cars with Ignition Interlock devices installed. Paid media includes radio messages, gas station advertising, convenience store advertising, and bar advertising displaying the Over the Limit. Under Arrest. message. The campaign runs statewide, with emphasis in the Philadelphia, Harrisburg/Lebanon, Lancaster, York, Pittsburgh, Erie, Reading, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton metro areas. Men 18-34 are the target demographic. Over 600 municipal police departments, every State Police Troop, and numerous university/campus police departments are expected to participate.
Rhode Island—The Rhode Island Office on Highway Safety (OHS) plans to use a B.A.T. (Breath Alcohol Testing) Mobile from Massachusetts and conduct a multi-jurisdictional roll call with law enforcement in the City of Providence’s Downcity entertainment district to kick off the crackdown on Friday, August 20. Rhode Island uses the slogan You Drink and Drive. You Lose (YDYDYL). The OHS has worked with the state Police Chiefs Association to purchase variable message signs for each police department that will be deployed for all YDYDYL patrols.
South Carolina—South Carolina's Sober or Slammer! campaign combines paid/earned media and law enforcement. About $600,000 in paid media includes: a new 60-second TV spot and outdoor advertising, such as billboards and ice box wraps, created and purchased to educate the public on the consequences of impaired driving and encourage motorists to report impaired drivers. Enforcement runs August 20 to September 6, with state and local agencies conducting public safety checkpoints and saturation patrols. Local law enforcement participation is at an all-time high, at more than 220 agencies. Law enforcement is utilizing citation holders that give motorists information about DUI victims in South Carolina. An August 16 press event launches the campaign in Columbia, featuring the unveiling of the new television spot, highlighting the increase in DUI arrests across the state, and announcing corresponding reductions in traffic fatalities during the year and, in particular, during the summer months. In addition, state DOT variable message boards will display “Statewide DUI Crackdown in Progress” during campaign weekends.
Tennessee—Tennessee is supporting the Labor Day crackdown with close to 200 checkpoints planned by law enforcement agencies across the state. Media purchases include $95,000 in television buys and $90,000 in radio buys.
Texas—From August 20 to September 6, Texas law enforcement are working overtime to find and arrest drunk drivers.The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is illustrating the choice between getting a sober ride or risking a DWI by driving drunk with an arresting image of a vehicle that is part police patrol car and part taxi cab. The Choose Your Ride effort incorporates modified patrol cars from police departments and sheriff’s offices in communities with a high incidence of alcohol-related fatalities. TxDOT is also running new TV/radio ads, billboards, wall postings, and web and mobile phone ads along with targeted messages in major market bar and restaurant districts. Traditional and alternative media efforts are intended to raise awareness of the consequences of a DWI conviction and the many alternatives available: calling a cab, designating a sober driver ahead of time, using public transportation, staying put, calling a friend or family member for a ride, taking a pedicab, and more. Media events are taking place at locations around the state.
Utah—The Labor Day mobilization and DUI crackdown in Utah combine print, billboards, online and radio media that resonate with the target audience of 21- to 34-year-olds. A press event is being used to inform the public of the saturation period, including checkpoints and extra patrols in both urban and rural areas of the state. The Highway Safety Office is collaborating with the Utah Highway Patrol DUI Squad and Zion National Park Rangers to conduct an extensive overtime DUI saturation patrol and checkpoint in the park through the Labor Day holiday.
Vermont—The Vermont Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) mobilization runs from August 20 through September 6 and reflects the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest theme. GHSP has invited members of the media to do periodic police ride-alongs in the cruisers in Bennington, Brattleboro and the greater Burlington area. GHSP has also asked the state Agency of Transportation to display the crackdown message on variable message boards. Law enforcement agencies use their alcohol enforcement (DUI) grant money to support the campaign. To encourage full participation, GHSP offers rewards – in the form of police equipment – to all agencies that successfully complete a minimum of 32 hours of directed DUI enforcement and participate in at least one DUI checkpoint.
Washington—Washington Traffic Safety Commission has launched a $400,000 campaign to support the national Labor Day crackdown, including: highly visible saturation patrols conducted by more than 160 law enforcement agencies; a $200,000 TV media campaign targeting young male drivers; and an earned media campaign. Newly launched Target Zero Teams—Under the Influence, Under Arrest are also participating in the crackdown. These DUI squads of 21 fully DUI dedicated Washington State Patrol Officers, accompanied by local law enforcement officers, will conduct intense, multi-agency, data-driven patrols with the goal of reducing fatalities and serious injuries.
Wisconsin—The Wisconsin Department of Transportation State Patrol, Bureau of Transportation Safety is promoting the end-of-summer drunk driving crackdown with news and community events around the state. Wisconsin’s activities include extra enforcement supported by a statewide media buy (TV/cable, radio, mobile, alternative print weeklies, online, etc.). More than 300 law enforcement agencies in the state are working additional drunk driving patrols during the crackdown period. Two-hundred and forty-six agencies will are also participating in this year’s crackdown without overtime funding, the largest number ever for Wisconsin.