CLAY COUNTY – Mothers Against Drunk Driving volunteers and staff will team up with law enforcement patrols across the country on Saturday, Aug. 28, for the third nationwide “Saturation Saturday.”

Among local agencies that will be participating are Florida Highway Patrol, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

The virtual and in-person events highlight impaired driving prevention efforts by law enforcement during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, which launched Aug. 17 and continues through Labor Day. NHTSA’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, long supported by MADD, helps fund increased impaired driving enforcement, sobriety checkpoints and anti-drunk driving advertising during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Even during the pandemic, drunk driving fatalities increased 9% despite fewer vehicle miles traveled, according to NHTSA.

“The past year and a half have been treacherous on our roads, with an increase in drunk driving, speeding and other hazardous driving behavior,” said MADD National President Alex Otte. “As we head into one of the busiest weeks on the road and the long Labor Day weekend, MADD joins our law enforcement partners in urging everyone to plan ahead before the first drink for a safe, unimpaired driver. With rideshare, public transportation, taxis and other safe transportation options, there is never an excuse to drink and drive.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sobriety checkpoints reduce drunk driving deaths by 20%. Saturation Saturday events in Northeast Florida will include increased DUI patrols and other enforcement efforts aimed at preventing impaired driving and catching those who make the wrong choice. MADD staff and volunteers will participate in law enforcement roll calls and other activities to reinforce the lifesaving importance of these traffic safety enforcement activities.

Support for equitable and just high-visibility traffic safety enforcement is one of the key elements of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, launched in 2006. MADD advocates for funding for NHTSA’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over events, which occur every year in August and December, and Click It or Ticket in May.

The other elements of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving include passing laws to require ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders, support for advanced drunk driving prevention technology in all new vehicles and taking personal responsibility by using rideshare, public transportation, taxi or designating a non-drinking friend or family member if plans include alcohol. To follow events throughout the day, follow MADD on Twitter at @maddonline or on Facebook at @MADD.Official.