West Virginia — Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) West Virginia is partnering with law enforcement agencies across the state for “Saturation Saturday,” a coordinated impaired‑driving enforcement effort set for Saturday, Aug. 29. The initiative coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign and aims to reduce crashes during one of the year’s busiest travel periods.
MADD says the effort comes amid rising concern over impaired‑driving deaths. According to federal data, drunk driving claimed 451 lives nationwide during the Labor Day weekend in 2024, and West Virginia has seen a 34 percent increase in drunk‑driving fatalities since 2019.
This weekend, MADD volunteers and staff will join officers from Bethlehem, West Liberty, Wheeling, Weirton, Glen Dale, Moundsville, Barboursville and Huntington police departments, along with deputies from Morgan and Jackson counties and Ravenswood Police, for enhanced DUI patrols and community outreach.
Sobriety checkpoints and high‑visibility enforcement can reduce drunk‑driving deaths by up to 20 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“MADD is proud to work alongside law enforcement to help prevent crashes, save lives, and remind drivers that impaired driving is never acceptable,” said Stacey D. Stewart, CEO of MADD. “Together, we can encourage responsible choices and make our roads safer for everyone.”
Regional Executive Director Bryna Clark‑Braverman said the campaign reinforces the need for drivers to plan ahead. “As we approach Labor Day weekend, we urge the public to have a plan for getting home safe — whether you’re driving, riding or hosting.”
