From SAFE COMMUNITIES OF WOOD COUNTY
On July 4, America celebrates its 250th birthday. To many, this is a major milestone and reason to celebrate. However, around Independence Day, there is often an increase in impaired driving crashes. From 2020 – 2024, there were 2,719 people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the Fourth of July holiday period – 37% of the drivers killed were drunk.
This Independence Day, local communities across the country are supporting NHTSA’s national “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” awareness campaign.
Even a small amount of alcohol can impair a person’s driving. For example, a blood alcohol concentration of .02 can affect someone’s ability to perform two tasks at one time – and that affects their ability to drive safely.
“If a person is planning to use any type of drug or alcohol, plan for a sober ride,” said Faith DeNardo, safe communities coordinator for Wood County. “There are plenty of options whether that be [a] designated driver, taxi, or rideshare. There are so many safe, reliable ways to get where you want to go. Remember: if you feel different, you drive different.”
Tips to celebrate safely:
- If someone plans to drink, they should plan ahead of time for a sober ride home.
- Even if a person has only had one drink, they should let someone who hasn’t been drinking take them home. A sober driver is one who does not drink at all, not the one who’s had the least to drink.
- If hosting a Fourth of July gathering, help the designated drivers out by making sure there are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages.
- If a friend is about to drive impaired, take the keys away and plan to get them home safely.
- If someone sees an impaired driver on the road, they should safely pull over and call 9-1-1.
- Always wear a seatbelt.
