The 2026 national enforcement mobilization, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” is being planned for the upcoming year. One of the deadliest and most frequently committed, yet preventable, crimes—impaired driving—continues to be a serious safety issue in our country.
With the end of summer comes Labor Day weekend, which in years past has signaled one last trip to close out the summer. This year, Labor Day falls on Sept. 7, marking the end of a record-breaking travel season. Travel during the final long weekend of summer is expected to be busy across the U.S., with domestic travel up 9% from last year, according to AAA.
Increased traffic means an increased likelihood of vehicle crashes, and the festive nature of the weekend, unfortunately, can contribute to instances of drunk driving. To help keep people safe on the roads, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is partnering with law enforcement agencies nationwide for the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign to help put a stop to alcohol-impaired driving.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/drive-sober-or-get-pulled-over
Labor Day Driving Tips from America’s Road Team
The first step toward a safe trip begins in the driveway.
• Do a walk-around before leaving: Check your vehicle’s tires, wipers, and fluids. Have your radiator and cooling system serviced as needed.
• Plan ahead: Before you get on the highway, know your exit by name and number, and watch for signs as you approach it. Drivers making unexpected lane changes to exit often cause crashes.
• Get a map or program your GPS: Surprisingly, few motorists use maps, even when driving through unfamiliar areas. Knowing the road is essential for safe driving. It allows you to anticipate what is ahead and avoid a panicked search for directions.
• Leave early and avoid risks: Leave early so you won’t be anxious about arriving late and can accommodate delays. Know your limitations. Don’t drive when tired, upset, or physically ill. Never try to gain a few seconds by attempting a risky maneuver.
• Be aware of trucks’ blind spots: When sharing the road with large trucks, be aware of their blind spots. If you can’t see the truck driver in the mirrors, the truck driver likely can’t see you.
• Expect the unexpected: Look a quarter-mile ahead for a safe path and always leave yourself an out.
• Limit cell phone use: Make sure your phone is connected to your vehicle’s Bluetooth system and that you are using it hands-free. Keep cell phone use to a minimum, and pull into a designated parking area if a call is going to be prolonged. Make sure you are NOT using your phone in work zones.
• Signal your intentions: When changing lanes, signal ahead of time so other drivers can respond. If a truck is signaling to change lanes, allow it enough space to do so. Often, the driver is trying to avoid another vehicle or roadway hazard.
• Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to come to a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
• Yield: On entrance ramps, remember that highway traffic has the right of way. Maintain the proper speed, use smooth merging techniques, and don’t slow down in front of a truck.
• Never stop on the highway: The most dangerous speed on a highway is zero. Stopped vehicles, even on the shoulder, create a serious hazard for themselves and others. If you must stop for an emergency, understand that large trucks cannot always stop to help. However, many drivers can use their radios or other means of communication to contact the police or highway patrol if they see you are in trouble.
• Watch your gas gauge: To save fuel, take direct routes, minimize side trips, and maintain a steady speed. A well-tuned engine, properly inflated tires, and reduced speed can also result in noticeable fuel savings. Have at least a quarter tank of gas before getting on the highway. Traffic delays can use a significant amount of fuel and may leave you stranded.
• Construction zones: Stay alert in work zones. Traffic may move more slowly,and lanes may be temporarily closed. Obey all informational and regulatory signs within the work zone.
America’s Road Team would like to remind the motoring public that, from the driveway to the highway, safety requires patience and dedication.
Is That a Drunk Driver?
How many times have you been driving, seen another motorist, and asked yourself, “Is that a drunk driver?”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has established four categories that may help identify whether a person is operating a vehicle under the influence. Please review these categories to help you become a better defensive driver when encountering potentially impaired motorists.
- Problems maintaining lane position: Look for signs of erratic steering or an inability to keep the vehicle within a lane. Weaving across lanes, straddling two lanes, or nearly striking another vehicle may be indicators of an impaired driver.
- Speed and braking problems: Braking smoothly can become difficult for an impaired driver. Look for problems with stopping, such as jerky braking, stopping too short, or stopping abruptly. Maintaining a consistent speed can also become challenging, so watch for drivers who accelerate and decelerate rapidly or drive well below the posted speed limit.
- Vigilance problems: This means the driver may be unable to pay proper attention to the road. An impaired driver might forget simple things that a sober driver normally would not, such as turning on headlights at night, driving the wrong way on a one-way street, or responding slowly to traffic signals.
- Judgment problems: Alcohol can impair a driver’s ability to determine what is safe and what is not. Impaired drivers may take risks that endanger their own lives and the lives of others. Examples include following another vehicle too closely, making unsafe lane changes, making sudden or erratic turns, crossing a median, or violating no-turn restrictions.
What Should You Do?
If you notice any of these warning signs, prepare to take evasive action and maintain a safe distance in case the suspected impaired driver makes an unpredictable move. If you observe multiple signs of possible impairment, avoid confronting or following the driver closely and contact law enforcement when it is safe to do so.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 13–19, 2026
Nearly every aspect of daily life is made possible because a truck driver delivered the goods and resources people need.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is an important opportunity for Americans to recognize and thank professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment to one of our economy’s most demanding and important jobs. These 3.5 million professional men and women not only deliver our goods safely, securely, and on time, but they also help keep our highways safe.
Americans and Canadians have taken extraordinary steps to show their appreciation for the important work professional truck drivers do. From children passing out lunches to “I Heart Trucks” signs along the highways, the public has taken notice of the essential role truck drivers play in our daily lives.
As we reflect on the past several years, it is worth remembering the essential role truck drivers played during the COVID-19 pandemic. They continued driving and delivering personal protective equipment (PPE), food, medical supplies, and countless other necessities when they were needed most.
This week in September is a small way to show appreciation for the 3.5 million professional men and women who not only deliver our goods safely, securely, and on time, but also help keep our highways safe. Start planning now to do something special for your drivers during this week set aside to recognize and thank them.
