Extra Law Enforcement Expected Over Labor Day Weekend – Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign in Full Swing

The Missoula Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies around the country in the fight against impaired driving this Labor Day weekend. Sgt. Greg Amundsen said this year’s “Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over” campaign runs August 15 through September 1, covering not only the end of summer, but the busy holiday weekend.

"The enforcement campaign actually started last week  and we had our first shifts out last weekend and will run through the first of September," Amundsen said. "We'll just have extra officers out looking for impaired drivers. We aren't going to do checkpoints or anything like that."

Amundsen said the goal of the campaign is to send a strong message: Drunk driving won’t be tolerated.

"If you are going out, designate a driver, use public transportation, or like I always say, just leave your car at home so it completely eliminates the possibility of making a bad choice after you become impaired," Amundsen said. "If you do get pulled over for impaired driving, you are going to be processed to determine whether or not you are actually impaired. If you are determined to be impaired, you will be arrested. You will be asked to provide a breath sample prior to your arrest. After your arrest, you will be taken to the Missoula County Jail."

Last year there were 147 drunk driving fatalities over Labor Day weekend.