Labor Day Weekend Means Beaches, Barbeques, and Heightened DUI Enforcement

Georgia Law Enforcement Officials are Cracking Down on Drunk Drivers During the Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day signals the official end of summer and the kick off of the new school and work year. Families and friends throughout Georgia usually say goodbye to summer in a big, celebratory way. Beach trips, cookouts, baseball games and concerts are all popular events for the holiday weekend. Beer, wine and cocktails can add an extra dose of “cheer” to these festivities; however, too much alcohol can have disastrous results when intoxicated celebrators end up behind the wheel of a vehicle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one person died every 34 minutes in drunk-driving accidents during the 2012 Labor Day weekend. In Georgia, there were 3,497 Labor Day weekend crashes in 2012, causing 1,161 injuries and 22 deaths.

Georgia law enforcement agencies are stepping up their enforcement of drunk driving this Labor Day weekend as a part of the state’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, a zero tolerance policy for drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. Drivers will notice more patrol officers on the highways and DUI checkpoints. Impaired drivers will be arrested and go to jail.

Preventive Measures to Avoid Drunk-Driving Related Tragedies

The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety suggests several measures partygoers should implement to prevent drunk-driving accidents:

• Develop a plan for getting home safely before you begin drinking, including designating a sober driver
• Leave your keys at home so that driving yourself home is not an option
• Use a taxi or car service – this may be a great time to try out the cool, new Uber App!
• Call a sober friend or family member to pick you up or use public transportation
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911 and report it immediately
• If someone you know is about to drive or ride impaired, take that person’s keys and help him make other arrangements to get home safely

This update has been prepared by Council & Associates for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not a substitute for legal advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.