HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) joined the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and safety partners to urge Pennsylvanians to celebrate responsibly ahead of the Labor Day holiday.

PSP and local municipal police agencies will be conducting impaired driving enforcement details as part of the National Crackdown on Impaired Driving enforcement and education campaign running through September 1. This effort is funded through PennDOT's statewide annual distribution of more than $6.2 million from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for impaired driving enforcement. The goal of targeted enforcement is to reduce the number of impaired driving-related crashes, injuries, and deaths on roadways throughout the state.

Over the Labor Day holiday weekend last year (Friday, August 30, 2024, through Monday, September 2, 2024) there were 1,002 crashes statewide, resulting in 13 fatalities and 722 injuries. Of those crashes, 106 were alcohol related, resulting in four fatalities and 65 injuries; and 27 were drug-related, resulting in three fatalities and 22 injuries.

"These numbers should be zero," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "Crashes involving impaired drivers are completely preventable. If your celebration includes alcohol or drugs, make a plan to get home safely without getting behind the wheel impaired. Never choose to drive impaired."