Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over: Staying Safe This Labor Day and Beyond (08-30-26)

Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer and one of the busiest travel periods of the year—but it can also be a particularly dangerous time on Michigan roads. As drivers prepare for the holiday weekend, law enforcement agencies across the state are participating in the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, aimed at preventing impaired-driving crashes and saving lives.

On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with Alicia Sledge, Director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, about the realities of impaired driving in Michigan and why alcohol isn't the only concern. They discuss impairment involving marijuana and certain prescription medications, increased enforcement during the holiday period, encouraging trends in Michigan traffic fatalities, and the importance of planning for a safe ride before celebrations begin.

Sledge also discusses Michigan's broader traffic-safety efforts, including the SAFER by 2030 initiative, which seeks to reduce roadway fatalities by 30 percent by 2030, and shares a simple message for everyone traveling Michigan roads this Labor Day weekend.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs August 14 through September 7.

Learn more: Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning