Kentucky Police Will Crack Down on Drunk Drivers During Annual Labor Day Safety Campaign

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) will be participating in the 2011 drunk driving crackdown sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs August 19 to September 5 and is an annual nationwide enforcement effort to crack down on impaired driving and reduce roadway fatalities.

The Labor Day DUI campaign is focused on preventing crashes and saving lives by stopping drunk driving. The KSP will partner with the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety and local law enforcement agencies across the state in a concerted effort to reduce alcohol-related injury and fatality crashes by targeting impaired drivers.

Nationwide, as well as in Kentucky, it is illegal to drink and drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater.  The NHTSA reports that in 2009 alone, 10,839 people died in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal alcohol limit.

According to the KSP, in Kentucky during 2010, there were a total of 4,762 collisions that were caused by drivers who were under the influence of alcohol, with 167 of those being fatal and 2,489 resulting in injuries.

The Kentucky State Police provides the following specific reminders to help drivers and their passengers plan ahead if they will be going out and drinking over the long holiday weekend: 

• Don’t risk it. If you plan to drive, don’t drink.
• Choose a sober, designated driver before going out.
• Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Spend the night where the activity is being held.
• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.

Lexington drivers, as well as drivers throughout Kentucky, can expect to see stepped-up law enforcement efforts such as an increase in patrols, sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols during the campaign.  The KSP wants to get the message out that impaired drivers will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Contact the Frank Jenkins Law Office Today

The Kentucky vehicle accident attorneys at Frank Jenkins Law Office in Lexington understand that when you have been hurt in a drunk driving accident, medical treatment is often your primary concern – but paying for your medical bills soon becomes a priority. When your injuries were caused by a distracted or careless driver, you shouldn’t have to worry about the bills for the medical care that you need. It’s our job to fight for your rights so that you can concentrate on your health and family while we deal with the insurers and those responsible for your injuries.

We can help you and your family following a Kentucky car accident. Call our injury lawyers today at 859-389-9344 or contact us via email. You can also contact us online for a FREE CONSULTATION.