Don't let a Happy 4th turn into an unhappy 5th: Celebrate safely!

Americans love to celebrate the 4th of July with family, friends, food, and fireworks. But all too often the festivities turn tragic on the nation's roads. Independence Day marks the birth of our great nation — don’t let it mark the anniversary of a tragic, preventable vehicle crash. With all the backyard barbecues and gatherings that occur during the July 4th holiday weekend, the number of drunk drivers on the roads can surge.

Unfortunate Statistics

This American holiday is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to drunk driving crashes. From 2014 to 2018, there were 812 people killed in drunk driving crashes over the Fourth of July holiday periods.

Red, white, & blue (plus lots of green): The Cost of Drunk Driving

On average, a DUI can set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing, and more. Drinking and driving could cause you to lose your driver’s license and your vehicle. This could inhibit you from getting to work, resulting in lost wages and, potentially, job loss.

Celebrate with a plan

Always remember to plan ahead if you will be celebrating. If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously and do not consume alcohol, not even one drink. Celebrate with a nonalcoholic beverage, like a root beer float, and leave the alcohol to the passengers. Remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Your forefathers fought for freedom... Don’t lose it to a DUI!

Hot dogs, fireworks, patriotic popsicles… what’s your favorite part of July 4th celebrations? Make sure you’re around for next year’s festivities by committing to sober driving today. If you feel different, you drive different. For more ideas on celebrating life safely, follow our blog.  

Many facts/statistics mentioned in this post were provided by United States Department of Transportation