More patrols and checkpoints coming to Virginia roads as officials target drunk driving this holiday season
Richmond, Virginia – As the holiday season begins, Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced intensified efforts across the Commonwealth to prevent impaired driving through Virginia’s annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. The initiative combines heightened law enforcement actions with a broad public awareness effort, urging all Virginians to make responsible choices and prioritize safety if alcohol is part of their holiday plans.
High-Visibility Patrols and Public Messaging Campaign
“This holiday season, Virginians have the opportunity to make a responsible choice that can save lives: a safe ride home for someone who has been drinking,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Because every drunk driving fatality, injury, crash, and arrest is 100-percent preventable, Virginia’s ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ DUI enforcement and public education campaign is focused on keeping our roads safe throughout the holiday season. Virginians who choose to celebrate with alcohol are urged to plan ahead and always get home safely.”
From now through January 1, 2026, law enforcement agencies across Virginia will increase saturation patrols and conduct sobriety checkpoints in an effort to stop drunk drivers before they can cause harm. These targeted patrols aim to reduce the risk of alcohol-related crashes during one of the most dangerous travel periods of the year.
Last year, 318 people died in alcohol-related crashes in Virginia—a troubling 8.5% increase from the year before. These fatalities underscore the deadly consequences of impaired driving and the urgent need for prevention.
Expanded Media Presence Focuses on Consequences
In addition to increased law enforcement activity, this year’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign features an expanded media strategy aimed at reaching Virginians where and when they are most at risk. The campaign includes public service messages titled “What’s the Damage”, which highlight the real-life costs and consequences of a DUI.
These messages go beyond traditional advertising. In addition to appearing on television and social media, the campaign will reach consumers directly at points of alcohol purchase—ensuring timely reminders to plan for a sober ride. The campaign’s creative content can be viewed at WhatsTheDamage.org.
Long-Term Progress but Work Remains
Since the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative launched in 2002, Virginia has seen measurable progress in reducing alcohol-related traffic incidents. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, alcohol-related crashes have declined by 4.0% from 2019 to 2024, even as population and vehicle travel have grown.
The campaign is part of a larger statewide traffic safety effort supported by a grant from the Virginia DMV to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), a Virginia-based nonprofit focused on reducing drunk driving and underage drinking.
Governor Youngkin and state officials are urging all Virginians to take part in the effort by choosing safe, sober transportation when celebrating. Whether it’s a designated driver, rideshare, or public transportation, the message remains clear: impaired driving is never worth the risk.
