The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is joining forces with State and local police departments in a national end of summer campaign to curb drunk driving. Increased patrols will be out in full force from August 21 through the Labor Day holiday weekend.
“We are working with our partners in the law enforcement community to stop drunk driving. Even one injury or loss of life on our highways is too many and these are tragedies that can be prevented,” said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis. “We want to stop drinkers from becoming drunk drivers during this high-risk travel period before they even have a chance to hit the road.”
Nationally, the crackdown is intended to reduce the tragic toll caused by impaired drivers resulting in nearly 12,000 fatalities in 2008. Drunk driving is the leading cause of fatal crashes in Rhode Island. Last year, 25 people were killed on Rhode Island roadways in crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with an illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Law enforcement will be watching for impaired drivers and making sure they are detected and arrested.
The statewide You Drink & Drive. You Lose. program is organized by RIDOT’s Office on Highway Safety and is focused on high-visibility enforcement and heightened public awareness.
“Here in Rhode Island it should be clear that if you drink and drive, you will lose,” added Lewis.