Crime & Safety

Local Police to Participate in 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over'

Northampton Police are hoping to cut down the number of DUIs during the holiday weekend.

With help from PennDOT funding, the Northampton Township Police Department will participate in a national enforcement theme, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over," this upcoming holiday weekend.

PennDOT's $4.2 million comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The initiative is a nation-wide effort to remind motorists of the implications of driving while impaired, according to a PennDOT press release.

“People may have end-of-summer plans that involve alcohol, but safety should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch, P.E., said. “Getting behind the wheel when you’re impaired by drugs or alcohol puts your life in danger, as well as the lives of everyone sharing the road with you. Do everyone a favor by designating a driver.”

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Northampton's police force is one of more than 600 municipal departments and the state police who will be participating in the program. Officers from these departments will perform roving patrols and DUI checkpoints to try and reduce the number of drivers on the road who are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Police are also encouraged to cooperate across counties and state borders.

"Everyone enjoys the holiday," Northampton Police Chief Barry Pilla wrote in an email. "It is the last great weekend at the shore or mountains before school gets into full swing. We just want everyone's holiday to be safe."

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PennDOT records show there were 169 alcohol-related crashes and five fatalities during Labor Day weekend in 2010.

Visit www.DriveSafePA.org or www.stopimpaireddriving.org for more information on Pennsylvania’s efforts to stop impaired driving and other traffic-safety initiatives.


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