Many police agencies throughout Pennsylvania and the United States are in the midst of supporting a concerted crackdown on impaired driving through this Monday, September 6. The national campaign's slogan is "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest."

The task force emphasizes that participating local law enforcement setup and support sobriety checkpoints throughout Pennsylvania this coming holiday weekend. The intense focus of the national campaign is due to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which states that nearly 12,000 people died in 2008 as a result of crashes found to be caused by impaired drivers over the legal limit. Those most likely to be impaired were found to be those age 21-24. Law enforcement plans to place emphasis on the issue during the nighttime hours when people are most likely to drive impaired.

Roughly 10,000 police departments throughout the nation are participating in the 2010 campaign. The Safety Administration's 2008 data revealed that 32 percent of deaths as a result of motor vehicle crashes involved a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .08 or greater, regardless of the type of vehicle, driver's age, or time of the accident. As of a few years ago, .08 is now the legal limit in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

According to the Pennsylvania DUI Association, those caught drinking and driving often face sentences involving prison time, drivers license suspension, and the installation of ignition interlocks on their vehicle, in addition to increased insurance premiums.

Remember, police will be out in full force this weekend, setting up traffic stops and stepping up patrols. Plan ahead and determine a designated driver when enjoying Labor Day weekend.

Source: Delaware County News Network "Delco DUI Taskforce to arrest everyone 'Over the limit''' 8/25/10