Increased DUI Patrols Planned Around Upper Southampton This Labor Day Weekend

Police departments across Bucks County will have increased DUI patrols this Labor Day weekend, officials announced Thursday.

According to the Bucks County District Attorney's office, there will be additional officers in at least seven Bucks County municipalities this holiday weekend.

The extra patrols are planned in Bensalem, Doylestown, Middletown, New Britain, Newtown, Upper Southampton and Warrington Townships. The patrols will be funded through a continuing federal safety grant administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

According to the District Attorney:

• On Friday night, Middletown, Newtown and Warrington will have two additional officers in their townships patrolling for DUI infractions. Bensalem, New Britain and Upper Southampton each will have one additional officer.
• On Saturday night, Middletown and Warrington again will have two extra officers for DUI enforcement, while Bensalem, Doylestown, New Britain and Upper Southampton will have one each.
• The added patrols will be in effect from about 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. each day. All drivers found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be arrested.

In 2014, Labor Day was Pennsylvania’s deadliest holiday weekend that year. Twenty-four people died in 858 crashes over the 2014 Labor Day weekend, according to PennDOT data.

The added patrols will be undertaken by Bucks County’s DUI Task Force, which uses grants to increase DUI patrols during holiday weekends and high-risk holidays. So far this year, the task force has conducted roving DUI patrols on Thanksgiving Eve, New Year’s Eve, Memorial Day weekend, July 4 weekend and St. Patrick’s Day.

Patch file photo