[Augusta, Maine] — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) national
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign will take place from August 16 through September 4,
2023. The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety has awarded federal funds to municipal, county
and state law enforcement agencies to increase patrols focused on impaired driving. During
this campaign, Maine law enforcement agencies will use high visibility enforcement tactics to
prevent fatalities and serious bodily injuries associated with impaired driving.
“Maine Law Enforcement Officers are exceptionally versed when it comes to detecting
impaired drivers. These officers have made a real commitment to attend training and seek
out other educational opportunities geared toward sharpening their detection skills”, said Lt.
Dana Thompson of the Gorham Police Department. “That knowledge and their experience
has made them extremely effective at conducting roadside evaluations, administering field
sobriety tests, and identifying alcohol and/or drug impaired drivers. Night and day, Officers
are purposefully pursuing impaired drivers to make Maine communities safer”, added Lt.
Thompson.
Highway Safety Director Lauren Stewart says “if you find yourself impaired and you need to
get home, give your keys to a sober driver, or call a public transportation service. The
irresponsible decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs puts you,
your passengers and everyone on the road at risk”.
Several Maine Law Enforcement Agencies have Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) and Forensic
Phlebotomists on staff. These specially trained officers assist with impaired driving
investigations after traffic stops and/or crashes. The DRE Officers are trained to recognize
impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol. A Forensic Phlebotomist is
trained to collect a blood sample from suspected impaired drivers for evidentiary purposes.
STATE OF MAINE
Department of Public Safety
Bureau of Highway Safety
164 State House Station
Augusta, Maine
04333-0164
During this campaign and every day, drive sober so that you don’t have to meet one of these
specially trained officers.
The following predictable effects on driving impaired at certain blood alcohol concentration
(BAC) levels is something to consider.
• BAC of .02, a person’s visual functions start to decline, and they start to lose their
ability to perform two tasks at the same time
• BAC of .05, a person’s coordination gets reduced, steering a motor vehicle can become
difficult and response to emergency situations slow down.
• BAC of .08, a person experiences reduced concentration and impaired perception
• BAC of .10, a person has reduced ability to maintain their vehicle’s lane position and
their ability for appropriate braking is reduced
• BAC of .15, a person experiences substantial impairment in their ability to control a
vehicle and their visual & auditory processing is reduced.
Here are a few safe solutions to help prevent Impaired Driving.
• Always drive 100% sober or choose a designated driver that you can trust.
• If it’s your turn to be the designated driver, take your job seriously and don’t drink.
• If you’ve had too much to drink, please call a taxi, Uber, ride-sharing service, a family
member, or a friend to make sure you get home safely.
• If you see a suspected Impaired Driver on the road, please contact a Law Enforcement
Agency immediately.
The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety wants all motorists to avoid preventable consequences
that are associated with Impaired Driving, so remember the following,
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”