The OU Police Department cracked down on impaired driving this weekend, part of a weeklong initiative to enforce drunk driving consequences from now until Labor Day.

Officers will be looking for impaired drivers throughout the weekend, especially during the night when impaired driving is most common, according to a press release.

Impaired driving is defined as driving over the legal blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter.

“Because we’re committed to ending the carnage [of traffic accidents related to alcohol], we’re intensifying enforcement during the crackdown,” OUPD Chief Liz Woolen said.

Anyone found driving over the limit will be arrested, regardless of circumstances, according to Woolen.

“Our message is simple and unwavering,” she said. “If we find you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions. Motorists should be aware that the consequences of driving while impaired can still virtually destroy your life.”

This attitude is not just shared by those at OU; the university is one of 10,000 agencies around the nation participating in the crackdown until Labor Day, Sept. 6.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is leading the campaign with the tag line, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit, Under Arrest,” according to the release.

Those caught driving impaired can face jail time, license suspension, court and attorney fees and potential job loss, according to the OUPD.

Zoology junior Maureen Lewis said she thinks the risk of getting caught and the associated consequences will be effective at preventing impaired driving.

“It will definitely be effective,” Lewis said. “If there’s a higher chance of getting caught, you’re not as likely to risk going out drunk.”

However, others said the crackdown might catch people but not actually prevent them from driving drunk.

“It might catch people who are already out [driving impaired], but I don’t think it will actually prevent it,” meteorology junior Brandon Theobald said.

To prevent driving impaired, Theobald said he doesn’t even risk driving after one drink.