Law Enforcement Cracking Down on Impaired Driving This Holiday Weekend

From the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office:

(OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA.) – July 4^th celebrations often include cookouts, picnics, boating, parties and, of course, fireworks. But for too many families, this holiday weekend can be filled with tragedy instead of celebration. The Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays of the year when it comes to alcohol-impaired-driving crashes on our roadways.

That’s why the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office is reminding everyone that law enforcement officers across the state will be on the lookout for impaired drivers throughout the holiday period.

In Oklahoma in 2010, ten people were killed in eight fatal crashes during the Independence Day holiday period (6 p.m. Friday, July 2 through midnight Monday, July 5). Five people died in crashes during the comparable holiday period in 2009. Four of the ten deaths in 2010 occurred in alcohol-related crashes.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over the past 25 years show that, on average, nearly half of all deadly traffic crashes during each year’s July 4^th holiday period involved some level of alcohol.

“Each of us can do our part to combat one of America’s deadliest crimes – drunk driving,” said Alice Collinsworth, OHSO communications manager. “This holiday, and all year long, we hope everyone will designate a non-drinking driver before the parties begin.”

All 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have made it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher.

“We want everyone to enjoy the celebrations, but it’s important not to get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you’ve been drinking,” Collinsworth said. “You don’t have to be ‘falling down drunk’ to be a threat to yourself and others on the road. Cops will be on the lookout, so play it safe and designate a non-drinking driver.”