The national enforcement campaign "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" will take place across the United States from August 15 to September 1. This initiative aims to combat impaired driving, a significant cause of fatalities that is preventable. On Friday, August 8, 2025, Knox County's Safe Communities Coalition, coordinated by Knox Public Health, will launch the campaign at the Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival.
Local law enforcement and other agencies will be present on the Public Square from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will feature activities such as "Walk the Line" with fatal vision goggles, a spin-the-wheel quiz, cornhole, cup stacking, and opportunities for attendees to interact with local law enforcement officers.
Impaired driving remains a critical issue in Knox County. In 2025 alone, there have been six traffic fatalities in the county, two of which were related to operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI). The year 2022 was particularly deadly for impaired driving in Knox County with nine fatal OVI crashes. From 2020 through July 2025, out of 35 fatal traffic crashes in the county, 16 were OVI-related.
Lieutenant Coby Holloway from the Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol emphasized the importance of planning ahead. "We need motorists to commit to keeping our roads safe by planning ahead to designate a sober driver," he said. "Please don’t risk your life or the lives of others by getting behind the wheel impaired."
For further information or involvement with Knox County Safe Communities Coalition, Suzanne Dapprich can be contacted at Knox Public Health via phone at 740-392-2200 x2225 or email sdapprich@knoxhealth.com.
Information from this article can be found here.
