Law enforcement agencies across Delaware County will increase DUI patrols from Aug. 19 through Sept. 7, covering Labor Day weekend, as part of the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
The SAFE Delaware County Coalition kicks off the effort Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. during Main Street Delaware's "Safety on Sandusky" First Friday event in downtown Delaware. The public is invited.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol and local police departments throughout the county will be "highly visible on the state's roadways" during the three-week enforcement window, according to the Delaware General Health District, which oversees the SAFE coalition. The Delaware Gazette also confirmed the campaign details.
Powell Police have joined before
The Powell Police Department has participated in the Drive Sober campaign in prior years. In August 2022, the department announced its involvement on X:
@powellpolice: "Today, the Powell Police Department joined other area law enforcement agencies to help launch SAFE Delaware's 2022 Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, reminding citizens to make the important choice this upcoming Labor Day to #DriveSAFE and #DriveSOBER!"
The 2026 announcement refers broadly to "Delaware County law enforcement" without naming individual agencies, but the countywide effort covers roads in Powell, Liberty Township and Lewis Center.
Why Labor Day weekend
The national campaign targets one of the year's deadliest stretches for impaired-driving crashes. Labor Day weekend is historically among the most dangerous periods on U.S. roads due to a spike in drunk driving.
Delaware County saw at least 15 people killed in traffic crashes in 2025, according to a November 2025 SAFE Delaware press release. Jackie Bain, SAFE coalition coordinator, said at that November event that "the lives lost are not forgotten" and urged drivers to understand "that their behavior on our roadways can change everything."
