Written BY: Prince William County Police Department

Prince William County, VA… The Prince William County Police Department joins law enforcement agencies throughout Virginia in the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over DUI law enforcement and public education campaign. The increased enforcement effort during the holiday season runs through Jan. 1, 2021.

If you drink and drive, and seriously injure someone in Virginia you will face harsher criminal penalties. A law passed in 2020 increases the offense of drunk driving that causes permanent and significant impairment to another person from a class 6 felony to a class 4 felony, which comes with two-to-10 years of prison time. The law also creates a class 6 felony for drunk driving that causes serious bodily injury which is not permanently disabling. The holiday season, with its parties and other celebrations, generally sees an increase in DUI-related fatalities.

Drive Sober is a crucial joint effort between public and private partners working to stop these incidents. During this time, the Police Department will continue to raise public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. By educating our communities on the importance of driving sober, we can help avoid loss of life, debilitating injuries and unbearable heartache. 

Impaired driving is both reckless and preventable. Drivers break the law by driving impaired, putting thousands of travelers at risk every day. The Police Department wants drivers to know impaired driving is not tolerated. No excuses and no warnings. If drivers are caught driving impaired, they will be arrested. 

This holiday season, the Police Department reminds motorists that nothing kills a buzz faster than getting a DUI. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over!