Sacramento, California – Labor Day weekend may mark the unofficial close of summer, but Sacramento police are asking drivers to make one decision before the celebrations begin: plan how to get home safely.
With gatherings, road trips and late-summer events filling the final weeks of the season, the Sacramento Police Department is increasing enforcement and warning that impaired driving can turn an ordinary holiday outing into a deadly one.
From Aug. 19 through Sept. 7, additional Sacramento police officers will be on patrol looking for drivers suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The stepped-up enforcement is part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
The department is also planning two DUI checkpoints within Sacramento. Officers will conduct checkpoints on Aug. 28 and Sept. 4, both from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Police said the locations will remain undisclosed.
“Enjoying the last days of summer should be all about fun and that starts with making safe choices before making plans,” Sacramento Police Sergeant Anna Mahoney said.
“Everyone deserves to get home safely, and it starts with your everyday actions.”
The department’s warning comes with a stark national figure. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,904 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes across the United States in 2024. That amounts to one person losing their life every 44 minutes.
Sacramento police are urging residents to make transportation plans before drinking begins. Anyone who expects to consume alcohol should arrange for a sober designated driver, use a ride-sharing service or taxi, or take public transportation rather than getting behind the wheel.
Police are also stressing that safe Labor Day travel involves more than avoiding alcohol. Motorists should buckle up every time they enter a vehicle, stay focused on driving and avoid distractions such as texting or eating behind the wheel.
Following posted speed limits is another part of the department’s safety message. Higher speeds leave drivers with less time to react and can make crashes more severe. Motorists are also being asked to watch carefully for pedestrians and bicyclists as people continue enjoying outdoor activities during the remaining days of summer.
For those traveling longer distances, police recommend taking regular breaks to prevent fatigue.
Impairment can also come from substances other than alcohol. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and cannabis products may affect a person’s ability to drive. Police advise anyone drinking alcohol or taking medication carrying a driving warning to have someone sober take the wheel.
Motorists who see someone who appears to be driving while impaired are asked to call 9-1-1.
The additional patrols and checkpoints arrive as Sacramento moves toward Labor Day and the final stretch of the summer season. The department’s message is straightforward: choosing a safe ride home should happen before the engine starts, not after someone is already on the road.
More traffic safety information is available at www.gosafelyca.org.
Funding for the enforcement program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.