Parties, picnics and fireworks are just some of the festivities that lead droves of Americans onto our nation’s highways every Fourth of July. Unfortunately, the celebrations too often turn deadly when drinking alcohol leads to drunk driving.This year, Americans will celebrate the Fourth on a Monday, which means the holiday weekend starts at 6 p.m. Friday, July 1st and ends on Tuesday, July 5th at 5:59 a.m. In 2014, over the Fourth of July holiday (6 p.m. July 3rd to 5:59 a.m. July 7th), 164 people were killed in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter or higher. Those preventable deaths make up 41 % of the 397 people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the Fourth of July period.
If you plan to partake in the weekend's festivities PLEASE don't drink and drive! Even if you are not drinking and traveling throughout the holiday weekend be aware of other drivers. If you suspect someone on the road is drinking and driving call your local police department and stay a safe distance away from them.
Here are some other tips to keep you and your family safe this holiday weekend:
- Plan a safe way home BEFORE the fun begins
- Designate a sober driver or use public transportation to get home safely.
- Download NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app at www.nhtsa.gov/link/saferride/.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local police department.
