July 4th Safety

• Alcohol is a major factor in fatal crashes during the July 4 holiday
  
• In 2007, 34 percent of all drivers involved in traffic related crashes during the Fourth of July holiday period (6:00PM TUESDAY JULY 3 TO 5:59 AM THURSDAY JULY 5, 2007) possessed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
  
• During the July 4th holiday period there were a total of 200 traffic related fatalities. Out of that number, 44 percent involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher.
  
• In 2007, 41,059 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Out of that number 12,998 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
  
• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin, so you can be alive to enjoy the next celebration
• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys;
• If you’re impaired, call a sober friend or family member so you are sure to get home safely;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement.

• Whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk. Impaired driving has serious consequences.
  
  · The tragedies and costs from drinking and driving impaired do not just end at the potential death, disfigurement, disability and injury caused by impaired drivers.
  
  · Driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in every state. Yet too many people still ignore the law. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report over 1.4 million people were arrested for driving under the influence during 2006.
  
  · Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is not worth the risk. The consequences are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant and not the way you want to celebrate the July 4th holiday.
  
  · People that break the law, often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, other fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, lost time at work, etc.

• Over the Limit. Under Arrest. This Fourth of July,
  
  This summer, don’t let your Fourth of July end in an arrest—or even worse, death. Make smart decisions. Plan ahead, so you can assure a safe way home. Whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk.
  
  Remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Don’t ever get behind a wheel of a vehicle when you are impaired.
  
  For more information, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.