GHSP urges motorists to drive sober this West Virginia Day weekend

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – As Mountaineers prepare to celebrate West Virginia Day on June 20, 2026, the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program is issuing a critical reminder to motorists: keep the celebration safe and drive sober.

Over the holiday weekend, law enforcement agencies statewide will launch a high-visibility Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign. Drivers can expect an increased police presence on the roads as officers work around the clock to remove impaired drivers before they cause a tragedy.

The initiative arrives during a historically dangerous time on American roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired driving continues to claim more than 13,000 lives nationally each year, averaging one preventable death every 39 minutes. In West Virginia, alcohol impairment remains a contributing factor in nearly a quarter of all traffic fatalities.

“We want West Virginians to take pride in our state and enjoy the holiday, but we need them to do it responsibly,” said Jack McNeely, GHSP director. “Our state motto is ‘Mountaineers are always free,’ but if you choose to drive impaired, you risk losing that freedom to jail time, heavy fines, and legal consequences.”

The West Virginia Day holiday falls squarely within the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” the high-risk period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when traffic fatalities traditionally spike.

“With rideshare apps, designated drivers, and public transit, there is absolutely no excuse to get behind the wheel impaired,” McNeely added. “Help us protect our communities and ensure every Mountaineer makes it home safely this weekend.”

For more information about the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, visit www.highwaysafety.wv.gov or call 304-926-2509.