Police will be out in full force this holiday weekend, and Berrien County is no exception.
This Independence Day weekend, the Sheriff’s Office is participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign in an effort to put an end to drunk driving.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving accounted for 29% of motor vehicle traffic deaths in 2018.
The same year, 193 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the July 4th holiday weekend. 78 of those fatalities occurred due to drunk driving.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and
driving:
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one
alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a
ride sharing service to get home safely. - If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the County of Berrien Dispatch Center
at (269) 983-3060. - Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make
arrangements to get your friend home safely. - This Fourth of July, commit to only driving 100-percent sober. Don’t lose your independence on Independence Day, and don’t be a deadly risk to yourself and other innocent people.
The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs from July 1 through 19.
