As Independence Day celebrations approach, law enforcement agencies across Berks County are issuing a clear message to motorists: drive sober or face the consequences.
Police departments throughout the county are joining the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. The high-visibility enforcement effort aims to curb impaired driving and prevent fatal crashes over the holiday weekend.
The Fourth of July is historically one of the deadliest holidays on American roads. Between 2019 and 2023, 2,653 people were killed in traffic crashes during the July 4th holiday period. Of those, 1,679 were drivers, and 643 — or 38% — were legally drunk. Drivers aged 21 to 34 accounted for nearly half of the impaired-driving fatalities.
“We want to make it clear that on this Fourth of July holiday, we will have a zero-tolerance policy against drinking and driving,” said Sergeant David Bentz of the Exeter Township Police Department, who also serves as the Berks County Coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program. “There will be no leniency shown. We are well-trained to identify signs of drunk driving on the road. Driving under the influence is a violation of the law, and a reckless act that puts the lives of drivers, their passengers, and others on the road at extreme risk.”
Police urge residents to plan ahead if they intend to consume alcohol. Drivers are encouraged to line up a designated driver or arrange for a rideshare or taxi before heading out. Impaired judgment after drinking can make it difficult to make safe decisions in the moment.
Officers also remind the public to step in if a friend or loved one attempts to drive after drinking. Taking away keys and helping someone find a safe ride home could save lives. Anyone who spots an impaired driver on the road is asked to call 911.
For more information on impaired driving prevention, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.