DOVER, Del. — The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is marking the success of its 2024–2025 Sober Rides program while launching the next stage in combating impaired driving: the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign, running through September 5th.
This year, Sober Rides provided more than 700 Delawareans with safe rides home during high-risk drinking holidays including Thanksgiving Eve, New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, and Independence Day, using $20 ride-share vouchers for Lyft and Uber. The program was fully funded by community partners and sponsors, led by Breakthru Beverage Delaware, and including Blue Hen Insurance, Preston Automotive Group, The Starboard, M Insurance Services, Land Rover Wilmington, Liquid Alchemy, Big Fish Restaurant Group, All State insurance agent Daniel Devine, State Farm insurance agent Catie Walther, Grotto Pizza, One Day At A Time Gift Shop, Aloysius Butler & Clark, and Deardorff. “Programs like Sober Rides save lives,” said Sharon Bryson, director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “We are thankful to everyone who planned ahead and chose to get home safely instead of driving impaired. We urge all Delawareans to make safe decisions year-round, not just on holidays.”
Impaired driving remains a serious issue in Delaware. Between 2020 and 2024, the state recorded 641 fatal crashes, 39% involving alcohol or drugs. In 2024 alone, there were 1,033 crashes, 85 serious injuries, and 4,093 impaired driving arrests. Males accounted for 71% of impaired driving fatalities.
With Labor Day approaching, historically one of the deadliest weekends for impaired driving, OHS and local law enforcement are increasing DUI patrols and public education through the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Drivers are urged to plan ahead, use a designated driver or rideshare service, and friends should intervene if someone attempts to drive impaired. Suspected impaired drivers should be reported to law enforcement. Consequences of a DUI in Delaware include loss of driver’s license, an average of $6,300 in fines, court costs, and attorney fees, possible jail time, alcohol and drug counseling ($400–900), ignition interlock installation ($480), and higher auto insurance premiums.
Photo: Delaware.gov