The Delaware Port Authority is encouraging drivers to prioritize safety during the Labor Day Weekend by considering their actions before getting behind the wheel.
According to Lt. Sean Longfellow of the Delaware River Port Authority Police Department, it is crucial for law enforcement officers across the nation to prioritize keeping the roads free from impaired drivers. He emphasizes that there should be no justification for operating a motor vehicle while impaired.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a 14.2% increase in fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes from 2020 to 2021. Shockingly, two-thirds of drunk driving crash fatalities in 2021 involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or more. These statistics highlight the concerning rise in drunk driving incidents and the need for stricter enforcement and education to prevent further loss of life on the roads.
“If you are aware that you will be impaired, make sure to have a designated driver. And in situations where impairment comes unexpectedly, it is important to remember to use your phone and utilize helpful apps instead of resorting to driving,” advised Longfellow.
Police in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware are increasing patrols to crack down on drunk driving.
