09-04-2026 Governor Braun Announces Stepped-Up Labor Day Weekend Patrols, Urges Hoosiers To Drive Sober

Governor Braun Announces Stepped-Up Labor Day Weekend Patrols, Urges Hoosiers To Drive Sober

Indiana State Police Increasing Enforcement for Labor Day Weekend: "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over"

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Mike Braun today announced stepped-up police patrols and sobriety checkpoints across Indiana for Labor Day weekend as part of his push to keep Hoosiers safe on the road and crack down on impaired driving and aggressive driving.

Indiana State Police (ISP), in partnership with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) and local law enforcement agencies across the state, will increase patrols along high traffic corridors and conduct sobriety checkpoints to remove dangerous drivers from Indiana roadways throughout the holiday weekend.

"Impaired driving takes lives every single day, and each of those losses is 100% preventable," said Gov. Braun. "I'm grateful to our law enforcement who will be out in full force this weekend with zero tolerance for those who choose to get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol. I encourage all Hoosiers to do their part, too. Buckle up, slow down, and if you're drinking, plan a safe ride home before the celebration starts."

The high-visibility enforcement blitz-part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)-runs through Monday, Sept. 7, 2026.

On this same weekend a year ago there 86 crashes reported in Indiana in which alcohol or drugs were a factor. Twenty-nine resulted in injury and two resulted in death. According to preliminary data from the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), nearly 23% of Indiana's fatal crashes in 2025 involved alcohol, while over 41% involved drug impairment.

State police emphasize that in Indiana, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater. However, motorists exhibiting signs of impairment can be arrested and charged at any BAC level, as well as for impairment caused by illicit drugs, cannabis, or prescription medications.

In addition to targeting impaired driving, troopers will be strictly enforcing Indiana's seatbelt laws, hands-free device regulations, and targeting aggressive driving behaviors such as excessive speeding and following too closely.

To help ensure safe roadways this holiday weekend, Gov. Braun and ISP recommend the following precautions:

• Plan Before You Celebrate: Designate a sober driver, schedule a rideshare, or arrange public transit before consuming any alcohol or impairing substances.
• Never Let Friends Drive Impaired: Step in, take the keys, and arrange alternate transportation if someone attempts to drive after drinking.
• Buckle Up: Seatbelts remain the single most effective defense against injury or death if struck by an impaired driver.
• Report Dangerous Drivers: If you observe a motorist driving erratically or suspect someone is operating while impaired, pull over safely or use a hands-free device to dial 911 immediately. Be prepared to provide the vehicle's location, direction of travel, make, model, and license plate if visible.

Another resource to encourage safe travel this weekend, and this month, is Project Plan Ahead, a program of ICJI, that is offering $10 off Uber and Lyft rides every weekend through September 27th. Up to 1,000 free credits are available every Friday through Sunday and are valid for rides between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. that begin or end in Indianapolis or Fort Wayne. To redeem a ride credit, visit IN.ProjectPlanAhead.com and click "Redeem Ride Credits." Follow the instructions for the selected rideshare service. Tips are not included in the discount, and users are responsible for any charges exceeding $10. A pickup cannot be scheduled in advance. Possession of the code does not guarantee availability. Credits are available while supplies last.

For more information regarding impaired driving safety and enforcement initiatives, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at nhtsa.gov.

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