Be Safe this Summer!

The summer picnic season is upon us, and one of the biggest weekends of the summer is almost here!  With the Fourth of July right around the corner, it's time to plan now for a safe and sober way home.

 

While many of us focus on fireworks safety each Fourth of July, we also need to keep our roads safe for the drive home after the festivities. 

 

Whether at a family picnic or viewing the local fireworks display, many of us will be on the road this Independence Day.  It's time to spread the word about the dangers of buzzed driving and to remind people that Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving, and the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead.

 

 

There are four steps you should take to protect your loved ones on the Fourth of July.   

 

1.) Designate a sober driver before you leave for your Fourth of July events. 

 

2.) Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi.

 

3.) Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

 

4.) Call 9-1-1 if you see an impaired driver on the road.

 

Even if you will not be drinking alcoholic beverages this Fourth of July, keep in mind that over the course of 2008, 1,179 people in other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers.  And there were a total of 491 motor vehicle traffic fatalities during the Fourth of July Holiday period (Thursday, July 3rd, 6 pm to Monday, July 7th, 5:59 am).  And for those who say they don't plan on over-indulging . . . a buzzed driving crash looks the same as a drunk driving crash.

 

We are working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council as they continue their efforts with the "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" PSA campaign. Buzzed drivers drink and drive, but do not consider themselves a hazard on the roadway because they have had "only a few" drinks.  

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

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