During the 2019 Labor Day holiday, Natrona County law enforcement will be working overtime to get drunk drivers off the roads and save lives.
This high-visibility enforcement campaign will include additional enforcement from the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office, the Casper, Mills and Evansville Police Departments, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Law enforcement will show zero tolerance for drunk driving. There will be increased messaging throughout the county about the dangers of driving impaired and additional officers on the road, who aim to drastically reduce drunk driving on our roadways.
“This Labor Day should be the time for our family and friends to enjoy the last days of summer,” said Chief Keith McPheeters of the Casper Police Department. “We ask our community to keep the streets free of impaired drivers so that we can all have a safe holiday. This is a campaign to help us put an end to this senseless behavior.”
Statistics show there’s more work to be done to end drunk driving. Nationally, 10,874 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2017. On average, 10,000 people were killed each year from 2013 to 2017 – the most recent statistics available. In Wyoming, alcohol was involved in 33 percent of all fatal crashes in 2018.
Drunk driving isn’t the only danger on the road. Drug-impaired driving is also an increasing problem. If drivers are impaired by any substance — alcohol or drugs — they should never get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Natrona County law enforcement recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving:
• It is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride-sharing service to get home safely.
• Use Natrona County Safe Ride. Just ask your bartender or server or call (307) 266-7233.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact Natrona County law enforcement or dial 9-1-1.
• Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.