Some of the deadliest driving days each year occur during the summer months. Often, the two holidays that flank summer--Memorial Day and Labor Day--showdramatic increases in traffic fatalities, with a dramatic surge over the Fourth of July weekend. And each year, a significant number of traffic deathsoccurring on these summer holidays are the result of impaired driving.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO), the state's law enforcement agencies will step up ENDUI patrols this weekend in an effort to crackdown on alcohol and drug impaired driving and to keep Oklahoma roads safer this Labor Day holiday weekend.
The increased patrols are scheduled to begin on Friday, September 2, at 6:00 p.m., and continue for 72 hours through Monday, September 5.
ENDUI officials say the increased law enforcement presence includes not only to DUI checkpoints and patrols on Oklahoma streets, but increased patrolsof area lakes as well.
According to the OHSO Labor Day Holiday 2015 Highway Safety Fact Sheet,Labor Day holiday traffic fatalities took a sharp rise in 2013, with 12 deaths up from 4 the previous year. Since then, the number has not fallen topre-2013 levels. In 2014, 8 people were killed in Labor Day holiday traffic accidents; last year, 9 people lost their lives in 8 fatal crashes overLabor Day weekend.
Of the 9 killed during this time period last year, 6 of those were in alcohol-involved crashes. In addition to the 9 fatalities, 308 people were injuredin traffic accidents over Labor Day weekend. Of those injured, 44 were hurt in DUI crashes.
The risks of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are great. In addition to the chances one might injure or kill himself or herself arethe risks of injuring or killing someone else. A DUI arrest may be a small thing in comparison with manslaughter or murder charges.
To learn more about Oklahoma DUI laws, click here or call (405)608-4990 to speak with an attorney about your case.
