(La Porte County, IN) - Beefed up patrols now exist until after Labor Day to help keep motorists safe.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office has had more officers on the roads since Wednesday under a national federally funded annual enforcement campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

Officers are working overtime to beef up patrols through September 7 with the focus on identifying and stopping motorists under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

“As we enter the final weeks of summer, we are asking every driver to make responsible decisions. A sober ride is not just the safest option, it’s the choice that saves lives,” said La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen.

Last year, nearly 23-percent of Indiana’s traffic fatalities involved alcohol while over 41-percent involved drug impairment, according to preliminary data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

The enforcement campaign administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute is supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the United States Department of Transportation.