(FRANKFORT, Ky.) (Aug. 11, 2025) – With Labor Day weekend approaching, Kentucky officials are urging residents to make responsible transportation arrangements if their end-of-summer celebrations involve alcohol consumption.
Governor Andy Beshear emphasized public safety as the state’s primary concern. “When someone chooses to drive under the influence, they endanger every person sharing our roads,” Beshear stated. “We can prevent these tragic, avoidable accidents by making a commitment to celebrate responsibly and plan ahead.”
Holiday weekends historically see increased traffic fatalities, prompting the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) to partner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and police departments statewide for the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign, running August 13 through September 1, 2025.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray stressed that impairment comes in many forms. “Driving under the influence is never acceptable, whether from alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription medications that affect your abilities,” Gray explained. “Even when drivers think they’re fine, substances compromise critical functions like judgment, coordination, and reaction time.”
Sobering Statistics
Kentucky’s impaired driving problem remains significant, according to KOHS data:
- 2024 statewide totals: 4,260 crashes involving impaired drivers led to 2,062 injuries and 185 fatalities
- Motorcycle incidents: 45 alcohol-related crashes resulted in 41 injuries and 6 deaths
- Labor Day 2024: The holiday weekend alone saw 76 impaired driving crashes, causing 44 injuries and one death
Safety Recommendations
Officials recommend these precautions for safe celebration:
Plan Ahead: Arrange safe transportation before drinking begins
Alternative Transportation: Use rideshare apps, taxis, public transit, or designated drivers when impaired
Report Dangerous Drivers: If you spot an impaired driver, pull over safely and contact Kentucky State Police at 1-800-222-5555 or call 911. Provide vehicle details, license plate, location, and direction of travel
Intervene When Necessary: Take keys from impaired friends or family members and help them find safe transportation
Always Buckle Up: Seat belts remain the most effective protection against impaired drivers and are required by law
Additional resources and information about impaired driving prevention are available at kydrivesober.com.