This weekend, law enforcement agencies in our area are increasing their visibility in an effort to lower drunk driving crashes.
It’s called Saturation Saturday, and it’s meant to make sure people are being safe ahead of Labor Day weekend.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving says since Labor Day is considered the unofficial end of summer, they want to make sure nothing tragic happens as people celebrate.
MADD said it starts with making it known that officials are out there the week before.
“It’s kind of like a dress rehearsal for the holiday weekend, but every weekend, every day of the year, it’s important to get that message out,” said Judy Cotton with MADD Northeast Florida.
This coordinated effort aims to save lives through increased police presence, with many agencies setting up checkpoints across our state.
Nearly 200 people were killed in the U.S. by impaired drivers over the holiday weekend in 2022.
“It just doesn’t seem to stop. DUI deaths nationwide are up around 30% in the last three years,” Cotton said. “There’s just no excuse for it. We have so many other ways to get to where we need to be and especially if you’re celebrating with friends and family, there should be someone there who’s not impaired who can take you home. I would love to see a trend in the other direction, but people have to make that effort because it’s up to individual people saying I’m not going to drink and drive.”
If you plan to drink, MADD wants you to know that there are options.
Have a designated driver, call a rideshare service or cab, and have a plan.
Saturation Saturday is also part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign, which started Aug. 16 and ends on Labor Day.