Police chiefs across Rhode Island will be out in force over the Labor Day weekend, looking out for motorists who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association said additional patrols will be on the roads to keep roads safe for holiday weekend. The initiative comes as officials are reminding drivers of the consequences of impaired driving: 39% of traffic fatalities over the Labor Day holiday weekend happened to drunk drivers in 2022, and 25% of those who died had a BAC of nearly twice the legal limit.
“We are all responsible for making our roads safe this holiday weekend,” said Colonel Bradford Connor, President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Warwick Chief of Police. “If you are going to drink alcohol or use cannabis, make sure you have a plan to get home safely. Designate a sober driver, use rideshare, or stay where you are. By making a good decision, you are keeping our roads safe for everyone.”
“However,” added Connor, “if you choose to drive impaired, we have additional patrols out and the consequences of being arrested for impaired driving are severe and life-changing.”
The Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association will be promoting drive sober messages on its social media channels throughout the holiday weekend. Police chiefs also said they would be participating in community outreach events to discourage drunken driving.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
