(KLZA)--The Richardson County Sheriff's Department will be participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign that runs Friday, August 16 through Labor Day weekend.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will work alongside the Sheriff's Office during the high visibility enforcement campaign, with a goal to deter impaired driving and prevent the tragedies seen in previous Labor Day weekends from happening again.

In 2022, during the Labor Day holiday there were 490 crash fatalities nationwide. 39% of those involved a drunk driver and 25% involved drivers who were driving with a blood alcohol contest almost twice the legal limit.

The Sheriff's Department wants those driving in Richardson County to know, that it is they're first priority to keep people safe.

If you plan to drink during the Labor Day holiday, be sure to secure a designated driver or call for a sober ride home.

When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive by taking away the keys and helping them get a sober ride home.

Anyone spotting a drunk driver, should contact the Richardson County Sheriff's Office.