Staying safe this holiday

The Fourth of July is for celebrating our nation’s history with family and friends.
But no one wants the festivities to end with an ambulance ride to the hospital or a ride in a squad car to the police station.
Law enforcement throughout the state will crack down on impaired drivers throughout this weekend as Americans prepare to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day.
The crackdown make sense when considering the statistics. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 27 percent of all drivers nationwide involved in traffic related crashed during the July 4, 2006, holiday had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 — the legal limit in all states — or higher. Of the 659 people who were killed in traffic crashes on Independence Day 2006, 37 percent involved a motorist with a BAC of .08 or higher.
These sobering statics mean that July 4th is our nation’s second deadliest day of the year for alcohol-related deaths. And that’s a sad commentary on our society.
At the least, impaired drivers can expect to be arrested and if found guilty, lose their license, time from their jobs, pay high fines and court costs and face imprisonment. Refusing a test means violators can lose their license immediately and have their vehicle impounded.
And at the most, impaired drivers can lose their lives — or take the life of someone else — in a crash.
If you plan to use alcohol this holiday, or any other day for that matter, take some precautions: Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin; designate a sober driver before the drinking begins; use a taxi or call a sober friend or family member for a ride if you didn’t plan ahead; and call local law enforcement if you see someone driving that you believe is drunk.
Keep this holiday safe by staying off the road if your celebration includes alcohol.