The Fourth of July weekend marks the beginning of the traditional summer travel season and the American Automobile Association projects a record 37.5 million motorists will hit the roads this year, an increase of 2.9 percent over last year. Unfortunately, it is also one of the deadliest holiday periods of the year due to drunk driving crashes.
The Kentucky State Police is urging everyone to plan ahead and designate a sober driver during the July 4th holiday period, which runs from 6 p.m. on Friday, June 30 through midnight on Tuesday, July 4. Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety and its local law enforcement partners throughout the Commonwealth will be out in full force during this period in an effort to keep impaired drivers off the road.
Kentucky State Police is participating in the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign, which means zero tolerance for drunken driving.
Ten people died on Kentucky’s roadways during last year’s July 4 holiday period, with three of those being alcohol-related. Statewide, authorities investigated 71 alcohol-related crashes and arrested 428 motorists driving while impaired.
To prevent tragedies from occurring, Kentucky State Police recommends the following steps for a safe and happy Independence Day:
Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely.
If you see a drunken driver, contact law enforcement by dialing 911. You may dial the Kentucky State Police toll-free line directly at 1-800-222-5555.
If you know people who are about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get them safely to where they are going.
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