The New Orleans Police Department, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are enforcing the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign to help keep impaired drivers off the road.

The ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ national campaign is in effect through July 7, 2019.

NOPD officers will be watching for individuals who are operating a vehicle while under the influence. Like drunk driving, drugged driving is also considered impaired driving. Whether the drug is legally prescribed or illegal, driving while drug-impaired poses a threat to the driver, vehicle passengers and other road users.

Americans love to celebrate the 4th of July with family, friends, food, and fireworks. But all too often the festivities turn tragic on the nation's roads. This iconic American holiday is also one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to drunk-driving crashes.

According to statistics from the NTSA, over the 4th of July holiday period in 2017 (6 p.m. June 30 to 5:59 a.m. July 5):

• 601 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. 39% (237) of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired crashes. This is a 23% increase from 2016, during which 192 people were killed during the same holiday period.
• 60% of those who died in alcohol-impaired crashes were in a crash involving at least one driver or motorcyclist with a BAC of .15 or higher.

If individuals are impaired by drugs and thinking about driving, the NOPD is encouraging those individuals to pass their keys on to a sober driver. Here are a few tips to help citizens prepare for a safe night of fun:

• 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 to get home safely. 
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact NOPD Officers immediately.
• Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

Convicted drunk drivers face potential jail time, loss of their driver’s license, and higher insurance premiums, so NOPD reminds residents and visitors to 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.'