This year's crackdown runs from Aug. 16 to Sept. 2

Drunk driving crashes continue to take the lives of thousands of innocent men, women and children on America's roads every year-consistently accounting for approximately 1 in 3 motor vehicle crash fatalities annually.

Law Enforcement across the nation are counting on you to join them in this year's highvisibility enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Alcohol not only impairs one's ability to drive, it also impairs one's judgment about
whether to drive, which is why the Hancock County Sheriff's Office personnel will be out during the campaign and Labor Day holiday period, on the lookout for drunk drivers or motorcycle riders who are putting themselves and everyone else on the road at risk.

In 2011, there were 9,878 fatalities on America's highways in which drunk drivers or
motorcycle riders were involved. That works out to about 1 death every 53 minutes.

While drunk drivers pose a safety risk to community members all year long, holiday
celebrations like Labor Day can bring out drunk drivers and motorcycle riders in increasing numbers.

• During the Labor Day holiday in 2011, 138 people were killed nationwide in crashes
involving drivers or motorcyclists whose blood alcohol concentration was .08 or
higher.

• Over this same holiday period, 44 percent of the drivers or motorcycle riders killed
who had BACs of .08 or higher were 18 to 34 years old.

• Eighty-three percent of fatalities in drunk driving crashes over the 2011 Labor Day
weekend occurred between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.