(Harrisburg, PA) -- As the good times of late summer roll into the approaching Labor Day holiday weekend, Harrisburg attorney Josh Bonn reminds consumers and motorists that it's also a particularly dangerous weekend when it comes to alcohol consumption and fatal holiday auto crashes.

Bonn, a former York County prosecutor, says data shows that alcohol-related crashes and resulting fatalities will increase dramatically over the next weekend. "While 12-15% of holiday crashes involved alcohol use in recent years," Bonn said, "45-49% of holiday crash deaths resulted from that alcohol use. In other words, alcohol-related crashes are far more deadly than non-alcohol related crashes."

Like all holidays, Labor Day will bring a rise in crashes, however in 2007, the weekend was the deadliest holiday for Pennsylvania drivers who used alcohol. PennDOT reports a recent annual average of around 500 alcohol-related crashes over the four-day period across Pennsylvania and, unfortunately, this year more than 20 people will probably loose their lives over the weekend.

"Driving under the influence is not only unsafe," Attorney Bonn warns, "but there's an increased chance that impaired drivers will be encountered by law enforcement."

Bonn noted that as a result of the high accident rate over Labor Day, Pennsylvania law enforcement will increase policing activities. "Our local and state police are well trained and participate in national programs designed to target impaired drivers." He said "In recent years the State Police have increased use of roving patrols and random sobriety checkpoints throughout the area during the Labor Day weekend." 

Bonn, who practices in DUI law, advises how to avoid tragic consequences this Labor Day weekend.

"While serving as Assistant District Attorney in York County, I prosecuted hundreds of DUI cases, and witnessed the terrible impact that DUIs have on the lives of victims and the families of those struggling with addiction to alcohol." Bonn said.

"I also witnessed the success of treatment programs offered by the District Attorney's Office and the Court of Common pleas -- so I caution against driving under the influence and suggest friends or family members of addictive substance abusers get help before this holiday season."

For more information about DUI law and related legal procedures, visit www.nssh.com/dui or contact Josh Bonn at jbonn@nssh.com (717) 236-3010.  Founded in 1871, Nauman, Smith, Shissler & Hall, LLP, is the oldest law firm in continuous existence in Harrisburg. For further information, please visit http://www.nssh.com/dui.