In Virginia, the fight against drunk driving is a serious mission. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is one way law enforcement is helping to reduce DUIs.
Through this initiative, law enforcement agencies are increasing their presence in localities to curb the alarming rise in alcohol-related crashes. The goal is to prevent fatalities and injuries caused by impaired driving accidents.
Accident and fatality statistics
The statistics reveal a concerning trend in drunk driving incidents. In 2022, the state had a total of 6,910 alcohol-related crashes. That was a 2.4% increase compared to the previous year. Tragically, these crashes resulted in 274 fatalities, or 10.9% more deaths than 2021. The number of injury reports from such accidents was 4,174. That was a slight decrease of 1.2%.
However, law enforcement found 12,959 drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or greater, which was an increase of 3.9% since 2021. The average BAC of drivers tested was 0.155, which is very high. Individuals with a BAC at this level will have impaired motor skills, difficulty walking and talking and a notable decline in reaction speeds and judgment quality.
Enforcement statistics
The enforcement efforts led to 14,247 DUI convictions in Virginia in 2022. This is proof of the commitment to holding individuals accountable for driving under the influence. More than 150 agencies participated in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign in 2022. They operated 100 sobriety checkpoints.
The concerning trends in drunk driving incidents highlight the importance of ongoing education and enforcement to change behaviors and prevent tragedies on Virginia’s roads. Initiatives like the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign play an important role in stopping these accidents.