Local law enforcement agencies will be out in force during the next two weeks in hopes of keeping area roadways safe during the Labor Day holiday by keeping impaired drivers off the roads.

They will be joining thousands of other law enforcement and highway safety agencies throughout the nation who will be taking part in the “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” campaign. The enforcement blitz began today and will continue through the holiday weekend that ends on Sept. 7.

The national “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” impaired-driving crackdown is a program organized by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that focuses on combining high-visibility enforcement with heightened public awareness through advertising and publicity.

“No matter what you drive — a passenger car, pickup, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle — if we catch you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions. No excuses,” said Oxford Police Chief Mike Martin.

Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees, time away from work, and dozens of other expenses.

“So don’t take the chance,” Martin warns. “Remember, if you are caught over the limit, you will be placed under arrest.”

The Mississippi Highway Patrol will be saturating local state highways during the campaign with extra troopers and road blocks.