Labor Day Enforcement mobilization is underway

HELENA — With more cars, trucks, campers and motorcycles taking to the roads on one of the most popular travel holidays of the year, the Montana Department of Transportation reminds motorists to be extra cautious while celebrating the Labor Day weekend

During the National Labor Day Crackdown, Aug. 20 to Sept. 6, Montana law enforcement has stepped up their efforts to prevent impaired driving and improve traffic safety. “We are working hard to keep motorists traveling in Montana safe on our roads,” said Montana Department of Transportation Director, Jim Lynch. “We encourage motorists to be cautious and considerate in their choices. We don’t want the Labor Day holiday to end in tragedy for anyone.”

As we head into the Labor Day weekend, preliminary reports indicate a continued decline in alcohol-related fatalities since 2007. As of August 23, there were 31 fewer fatalities overall than this time last year, down 74 deaths from this time in 2007. While this is a positive trend, MDT, law enforcement and the traveling public would like to prevent even more deaths on our Montana roads by combining high-visibility enforcement with heightened public awareness.

If you will be celebrating the Labor Day weekend, or plan to be traveling, make sure you have an alert and sober driver behind the wheel. Driving impaired is not worth it - you could lose everything, make the smart choice, arrive alive.

The Montana Department of Transportation provides funding for additional patrols to concentrate on impaired driving prevention.