Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office To Increase Patrols During Labor Day Weekend

The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office will have extra patrols around the county during this Labor Day weekend in an attempt to cut down on the number of drunk drivers.

The effort is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration campaign "Driver Sober Or Get Pulled Over," according to the Sheriff's Office.

Learn more about the campaign

"We are an agency that has been proactive in enforcing traffic safety laws", said Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel. "We will have a zero tolerance policy for anyone found driving under the influence of alcohol".

According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, in 2011, the state saw six fatalities during the Labor Day Holiday. One of those fatalities involved alcohol.

Due to statewide law enforcement efforts, the number of fatalities decreased in 2011. Officials say there were ten fatalities in 2010, five of which were alcohol-related.

"We ask everyone to have a plan right now", said Whetsel. "Call a taxi, have a sober designated driver, or call AAA's Tipsy Tow at 1-800-AAA-HELP".