FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Let’s Work Together to END Drunk Driving
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Hampton Roads, VA. (August 2025) – From August 15-September 1, Drive Safe Hampton Roads, the Virginia DMV Highway Safety Office, and the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be working alongside Hampton Roads Law Enforcement for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign. The goal is to deter impaired driving and prevent the tragedies seen during previous Labor Day weekends from happening. During the 2023 Labor Day holiday (6 pm September 1 – 5:59 am September 5), there were 511 traffic crash fatalities nationwide. Of these 511 fatalities, 36% (185) involved a drunk driver. 68% of the impaired drivers killed had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher. In Virginia last year during the Labor Day weekend, there were 4 lives lost on the roads due to a drunk driver. In addition, there were 115 alcohol-related crashes and 23 serious injuries.
“We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we are asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Bob Clinebell, President of Drive Safe Hampton Roads. “The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it kills. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement, drivers and passengers to protect our community and put an end to this dangerous behavior.”
“Drivers should be safe during this Labor Day holiday weekend by planning ahead.” Said Brian Hennessy, Impaired Driving Prevention Chair for Drive Safe Hampton Roads, “Don’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get somewhere. Impairment clouds a person’s judgement. Drivers should secure a designated sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare for a sober ride home. If a driver finds they are unable to drive, they should give the keys to a sober driver to get home safely. Friends, be pro-active, take away the keys and help get a sober ride home. If anyone spots a drunk driver, contact local law enforcement.”
For more information on Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, go to www.drivesafehr.org
Drive Safe Hampton Roads (DSHR) is a non-profit regional coalition whose mission is to improve roadway safety and reduce death and injury from vehicle crashes using initiatives that include educational programs, information sharing, and partnerships with public and private sector organizations. For over 37 years, Drive Safe Hampton Roads has been dedicated to preventing crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the region’s roadways. DSHR is the oldest, continuous traffic safety coalition in the Commonwealth. For more information: www.drivesafehr.org or call (757) 498-2562.
Media Contact:
Mary Ann Rayment
Public Relations Coordinator
Drive Safe Hampton Roads
Email: [email protected]
Voice Mail: 757-498-2562