Local Police to Join Initiative to Reduce DUIs

The has joined with Team DUI, part of the Pennsylvania DUI Association, to attempt to crack down on those who drive impaired over the upcoming holiday.

The Fourth of July enforcement began yesterday, June 19, and will continue through July 4. 

Though the department's Traffic Unit and Teams both help this effort, Chief Barry Pilla wrote in an email that they step up their focus during this time of year. 

"We will be increasing our vigilence toward this problem," he wrote. "During those times when our anti-DUI focus is the greatest, we generally plan out increased patrols or focused selective enforcement details or we may work with another agency or agencies on a joint anti-DUI detail."

Last year, there were 416 alcohol-related crashes that yielded 29 lives lost just during the Fourth of July time period in Pennsylvania, according to a statement released by the DUI Association. Also, that number is up from 2009, where 17 deaths from alcohol-related crashes occurred. 

Driving impaired is a serious matter, whether the influence is alcohol, drugs or both. In addition, there were 223 motorcycle alcohol-related fatalities last year, up from 204 in 2009.

The DUI Association's recommendation is that Pennsylvanians make arrangements ahead of time to ensure no one is driving under the influence. Like Northampton, police departments across the country will be participating in the program as well.

"I feel we are extremely lucky to be living in Bucks County," Pilla wrote. "We have very well management, equipped and staffed law enforcement agencies. I believe that the men and women across our county are extremely effective and dedicated law enforcement professionals."