There will be heightened DUI enforcement efforts in the region this weekend – including plans for Lancaster County.
At least one sobriety checkpoint is planned for this weekend in Lancaster County, along with roving patrols - those being officers on the road specifically targeting signs of impaired driving.
Similar operations are planned for neighboring counties.
Social gatherings, with alcohol, are common around the weekend before/after Halloween. Unfortunately, officials see an uptick in impaired driving during those times.
Nearly 300 people died last year in DUI-related crashes on Pennsylvania roadways, according to PennDOT. About 88 percent of the persons killed were either driving impaired or in a vehicle with an impaired driver, according to PennDOT.
On average, more than 1,500 drivers are charged with DUI each year in Lancaster County, according to District Attorney Craig Stedman.
District Attorney Stedman advises those drinking alcohol this weekend, and anytime, to do so responsibly and travel by using local taxi services (such as Yellow Cab), designated drivers, public transit and ride-share services, like Uber or Lyft.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright