Planning To Party On Labor Day? Maine Authorities Say Designate A Driver Or Get A Ride Home

Local news sources say Maine could see upwards of a million drivers on the road on this upcoming Labor Day weekend (August 29th through September 1st.)

With so many people expected to be on the roads in our state, officials remind motorists to make plans to enjoy the weekend's festivities responsibly, in order to keep everyone safe.

Nick Brown, Highway Safety Coordinator with the Maine Department of Public Safety says there have been a number of fatal crashes due to Impaired Driving Statewide over the last 5 years: In 2020, there were 46, in 2021, 33. It went back up to 46 fatalities the next year. In 2023 there were 26 and last year there were over 30 fatal crashes involving impaired drivers.

Lauren Stewart, Director of Highway Safety with the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety says, these fatalities are entirely preventable if people choose not to get behind the wheel while impaired.

“One roadway fatality is one too many. Don’t let that one be you or someone you love.”

So far in 2025 alone, from January to this week, there have been 95 traffic fatalities in Maine.

Read More: Albion Maine Crash Claims Life Of Child And Injures Two

In an effort to deter drivers from operating vehicles while in an impaired state, Stewart says law enforcement agents across the state will be all over the state, in full force on Maine roadways, to make sure people are driving safely.

"With Labor Day quickly approaching, the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety wants all motorists to consider the deadly consequences of making a decision to drive
while impaired by alcohol, drugs or a combination of alcohol and drugs. If your celebrations are going to include impairing substances, plan ahead.
Remember: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different."

Authorities in Maine say a little pre-planning is the best way to ensure you have both a fun and safe Labor Day weekend.

Here are 3 simple steps that can keep everyone a little safer for the upcoming holiday weekend.

1.) Make arrangements, in advance, to either stay where you are going to party, or designate a driver who plans to stay sober and won't be drinking or taking drugs, to take you home.

2.) If you can't find anyone to be a D.D., utilize a rideshare option or a taxi service. You could even phone a friend...who you know will not be partying, but would be willing to pick you up.

3.) If you someone is driving erratically, report them. Call 991, or the local police department. Try to take note of the time and place, the make and model of the vehicle in question, and the direction they're traveling. That information will help law enforcement officials better locate the erratic driver.

Aside from the risk of hurting or killing yourself or someone else when you drive impaired, in the state of Maine, there are some pretty substantial penalties if you get caught.

According to Maine.gov, those include but are not limited to a minimum fine of $500 for the first offense (it goes up for the second and third, etc.) the suspension of your drivers license and possible jail time.

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The Maine Department of Public Safety and the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety urge everyone to do their part to help keep Maine roadways safe during Labor Day Weekend.