The Virgin Islands Police Department, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety (VIOHS), is launching the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” high-visibility enforcement campaign as part of a national effort to reduce impaired driving and improve road safety, reported the VIPD.
The campaign, which runs from July 27 through September, aligned with Title 20, Section 493 of the Virgin Islands Code, and aims to raise awareness, increase enforcement, and reduce impaired driving incidents, according to a news release.
Impaired driving is more than just a statistic—it’s a real and personal threat that impacts every one of us. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or neighbor, the consequences can be life-altering in a single moment. With the influx of tourists, lively social gatherings, the risk of impaired driving increases. The stakes are too high to ignore. This campaign is more than just enforcement; it’s about protecting the community, safeguarding the places we call home, looking out for the people we love, while ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all who visit our islands. The message is clear and unwavering: Impaired Driving Will Not Be Tolerated, the release stated.
The VIPD will conduct roadside sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and increased surveillance across the territory. The goal is straightforward—to ensure that everyone gets home safely. Officers will be watching for signs of impairment, such as erratic driving, speeding, or swerving, and addressing other traffic violations that compromise safety. Drivers suspected of DUI will be stopped, tested, and, if necessary, arrested, according to the release.
“Impaired driving doesn’t just endanger the driver and his or her passengers, it puts everyone on the road at risk,” said Daphne O’Neal, VIOHS director. “If you plan to drink or use intoxicating substances, make sure to have a safe way home—whether it’s a designated driver or alternate transportation. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
Let’s work together to keep our roads safe. Celebrate Responsibly, and always remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving; If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.
For more information about the campaign, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving. To request a traffic safety presentation or learn more about impaired driving prevention, contact the VIOHS through O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov or the Impaired Driving Program Manager, K’ Tonya Petrus at k’tonya.petrus@vi.gov. People may also contact the office via telephone at (340) 772-3025.
