INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Governor Mike Braun is warning Hoosiers: if you drink and drive this Labor Day weekend, you will get pulled over.
Indiana State Police, along with local law enforcement, will increase patrols and run sobriety checkpoints through Monday, Sept. 7.
“Impaired driving takes lives every single day, and each of those losses is 100% preventable,” Braun said. “Buckle up, slow down, and if you’re drinking, plan a safe ride home before the celebration starts.”
Sobering numbers point to crashes caused by drinking or drugs last year, according to the Governor’s office.
Last Labor Day weekend, there were 86 crashes in Indiana where drugs or alcohol were a factor. Twenty-nine caused injuries. Two were fatal.
Federal data shows nearly 23% of Indiana’s fatal crashes in 2025 involved alcohol. More than 41% involved drug impairment.
In Indiana, it’s illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher. But officers can arrest drivers for impairment at any level, including from drugs, cannabis, or medications.
Troopers will also be enforcing seatbelt laws, hands-free rules, and cracking down on speeding and tailgating.
Cheap rides available
Project Plan Ahead, a program through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, is offering $10 off Uber and Lyft rides every weekend through Sept. 27.
Rides must start or end in Indianapolis or Fort Wayne and take place between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m.
To grab a credit, visit IN.ProjectPlanAhead.com and click “Redeem Ride Credits.”
Tips for a safe weekend
- Plan ahead. Pick a sober driver or book a rideshare before you start drinking.
- Don’t let friends drive drunk. Take the keys.
- Buckle up. Every time.
- See something? Call 911. If someone is driving erratically, pull over safely and report it.
For more info on impaired driving enforcement, visit nhtsa.gov.
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