08/18/2026
Summer is almost over.....
Sarasota Police Department
Sarasota Police urge drivers to stay sober this Labor Day and every day
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be working alongside local law enforcement, including the Sarasota Police Department, to deter drunk driving and prevent tragedies during the Labor Day holiday weekend, from August 19 through September 7, 2026. The message is clear: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
The need for the campaign remains clear. According to NHTSA, during the 2024 Labor Day holiday period, 505 people were killed in traffic crashes nationwide. Of those fatalities, 170, or 34%, involved a drunk driver. Drivers ages 18 to 34 who were killed in crashes during the holiday period, 40% had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.
Anyone planning to drink should arrange a safe ride home before heading out. Designate a sober driver, use a taxi or rideshare service or make another transportation plan. Drivers should never wait until after drinking to decide how they will get home.
Friends and family can also help prevent impaired driving by stepping in when someone who has been drinking is considering getting behind the wheel. Take their keys and help them find a safe ride home. If you see a suspected drunk driver on the road, contact law enforcement. In an emergency or when there is an immediate danger, always call 911.
This Labor Day and every day, the Sarasota Police Department is asking everyone to do their part: Drive sober, look out for one another and help make sure everyone gets home safely.
