Over the next few days Pennsylvania state police, local police across the state and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will continue to participate in a national DUI campaign to lower the incidence of drinking and driving called, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” The focus of the effort is to help ensure Pennsylvania’s roadways are safe during the Fourth of July travel period and will last until July 8.

State Police Commissioner said in public statement that, “Motorists must understand that alcohol and driving never mix,” and that drivers should not get behind the wheel even for a short distance if they have been drinking. Remember, the legal blood alcohol content in Pennsylvania for motorists age 21 and older is 0.08 percent, and the blood alcohol limit for drivers under age 21 is 0.02 percent.

Other states have recently started their own DUI campaigns to warn the residents of their states about the consequences of driving while under the influence. Texas, for example, started a campaign called, “The Faces of Drunk Driving.” According to Fox10tv.com, the campaign features the faces and stories of those convicted of drinking and driving and those who were affected by someone who drove after drinking.

The state of Michigan has also undertaken its own public drinking and driving campaign. The Michigan DUI campaign is a bit more tongue-in-cheek, and features the use of talking urinal cakes at restaurants and bars. According to CNET, the use of talking urinal cakes in bars and restaurants across the state began over the Fourth of July holiday and features a motion-activated audio track where a woman informs the user, “Hey! Listen up. That’s right. I’m talking to you. Had a few drinks? Maybe a few too many. Then do yourself and everyone else a favor. Call a sober friend or a cab. Oh, and don’t forget. Wash your hands.” The creators of the campaign hope the unconventional delivery of the message will make people think.

In Pennsylvania, individuals arrested for DUI face jail time, fines between $500 and $5,000, license suspension and other penalties. An experienced DUI attorney can help a person arrested for drinking and driving navigate the legal process.

Source: LevittownPatch, “Police, PennDOT to Target Drunken Drivers,” July 4, 2012