Over the two weeks leading up to Labor Day weekend, local law enforcement will be increasing its presence on highways and roads as part of a DUI-prevention campaign: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
The campaign will be in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is also covering the cost of added patrols, and will go from August 21 through September 7, 2026.
Sgt. Troy Schaefer with the Seward County Sheriff’s Office Administration Division said he wants to make sure the public knows about this campaign ahead of time so they can plan accordingly and remember the dangers of impaired driving. This is especially important as cases of impaired driving continue to increase in the eastern part of Nebraska.
“We don’t want anyone surprised [by the higher presence],” Schaefer said. “We don’t like working DUIs. We don’t want to take people to jail—that’s not our goal. Our goal is for compliance.”
Schaefer hopes that just by there being more patrols out and about in the county, residents will drive more carefully and remember how dangerous impaired and distracted driving is. In 2025 alone, impaired driving killed 33 people and seriously injured another 170 in Nebraska. The risks simply aren’t worth it, and law enforcement urges residents to plan ahead and err on the side of caution.
“It’s so easy [to not drive impaired],” Schaefer said. “Just get a designated driver. It’s so simple, and it’s not worth the money.”
The average DUI charge now costs approximately $12,000 between fines, attorneys, insurance, and more. And after three DUIs, it becomes a felony, and drivers can face up to a year in prison.
Overall, the campaign is a straightforward reminder to Seward County residents that impaired driving—whether it be by alcohol, an illegal substance, or even newly prescribed medication—is just never worth it. Have a designated driver, get an Uber, or just spend the night. It’s not worth the cost, and it’s definitely not worth your life or anyone else’s.
So remember, this Labor Day weekend: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
