Labor Day is a celebration by many Americans as the symbolic end of summer. With fall just around the corner, many families take advantage of this long summer weekend and head out onto a last summer vacation or a day trip to the beach, lake or mountains.

Holidays like Labor Day can be especially a dangerous time on America’s roadways. In 2014, there were 147 people killed in drunk- driving crashes over Labor Day weekend. To put that into perspective, throughout that year, someone was killed in a drunk driving crash every 51 minutes on average. Over the Labor Day weekend, that statistic jumps to one person every 34 minutes.

Law enforcement will be out in force ready to arrest drunk drivers who put their lives at risk from August 19 through September 5, covering the end of summer and the busy Labor Day weekend.

If you plan to be on the road during this dangerous period, please be careful, and remember to spread the word that driving after drinking is simply not worth the risk.

Don’t make this end of summer, the end of summers. Designate a designated driver.

Margaret Brackett

MADD Newberry County