News Release

Shenandoah National Park and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration remind drivers: Drive sober or get pulled over

Date: August 21, 2023
Contact: Cynthia Sirk-Fear, [phone] x3401

LURAY, VA - During the Labor Day holiday period, including the end of summertime and the busy holiday weekend, Shenandoah National Park law enforcement will be working with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to decrease impaired driving. From August 18 through September 4, the Park will be participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement period. During this time, you’ll see rangers at designated checkpoints along Skyline Drive to take drunk drivers off the roads.

According to NHTSA, 13,384 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2021 — that’s one person every 39 minutes. On average, more than 11,000 people were killed in drunk driving crashes each year from 2017 to 2021. This is why the Park is working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal; it’s a matter of life and death.

Violating Shenandoah National Park’s drug-impaired driving laws can result in a $5000 fine and up to six months in prison as well as the loss of driving privileges.

“We want Park visitors to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe,” said Chief Ranger Cynthia Sirk-Fear. “The Drive Sober campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal, and it takes lives.”

If you see a drunk driver on Skyline Drive, call 1-800-732-0911. For more information on impaired driving, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drug-impaired-driving.