The Avoid DUI Task Force Is Cracking Down on Drunk Driving This July Fourth

The Fourth of July holiday is a favorite time of year for many Americans. Backyard 

parties, good food, and fireworks. But the celebrating unfortunately turns deadly when 

people drive after drinking alcohol.  Drunk driving is a preventable problem on 

Independence Day each year in the United States.

In 2013, Forbes magazine named the Independence Day holiday “the most dangerous 

holiday of the year.” 

This year, the Fourth comes on a Saturday, so Friday, July 3, is the Federal holiday and 

observance. That means the Fourth of July weekend starts at 6 p.m. Thursday and extends 

to 5:59 a.m. Monday morning, July 6.

In 2013, there were 512 people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the Fourth of 

July holiday (6 p.m. July 3rd through 5:59 a.m. July 8th). Of those fatalities, 199 (39%) 

occurred in crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood 

alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.

During the July Fourth holiday period in 2013, the rate of alcohol impairment among 

drivers involved in fatal crashes was over three times higher at night than during the day.

In fatal crashes during the July Fourth period in 2013, more than one-fifth (21%) of 

involved drivers or motorcycle operators had BACs of .15 or higher—almost twice the 

legal limit.

During the Fourth of July 2013 holiday period, almost half (45%) of the young drivers 

(18 to 34 years old) killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes were alcohol-impaired (BAC 

of .08 g/dL or higher). 

This Fourth of July, law enforcement in Ione is taking part in a crackdown to put an end 

to drunk driving. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign will mean increased 

enforcement with zero tolerance for those who drive impaired. 

Throughout the region, drivers should expect to see the police out in force, cracking 

down on drunk driving through increased sobriety checkpoints, roving and saturation 

patrols, and other enforcement efforts. 

Unfortunately, these enforcement campaigns are necessary—drunk driving is an

epidemic in our nation. In 2013, there were 10,076 people killed in drunk-driving 

crashes. That’s almost one third of all traffic fatalities nationwide. 

In all 50 States and the District of Columbia, it’s illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 g/dL 

or higher. In fatal crashes in 2013, almost one in seven drivers (14%) had BACs at or 

above .15 g/dL – almost twice the legal limit.

The tragic reality is that drunk driving isn’t a new concern: during the Fourth of July 

holiday periods from 2009 to 2013, there were 750 people killed in impaired-driving 

crashes.

And from 2012 to 2013, the number of overall drunk-driving-crash fatalities decreased by 

2.5 percent in the United States—from 10,336 people killed in 2012 to 10,076 in 2013.

Of the 10,076 people who died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2013, 6,515 (65%) 

were drivers with BACs of .08 or higher. The remaining fatalities consisted of 2,724 

motor vehicle occupants (27%) and 837 nonoccupants (8%).

Make a Plan to Get Home Safely This Fourth of July. “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

If you drive drunk, you not only put your life and the lives of others at risk, you could face a DUI 

arrest. The average DUI costs $10,000, making it difficult to recover financially. 

Arrested drunk drivers face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates, and 

dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, fines and court costs, car towing and 

repairs, lost time at work, etc.

Avoid Drunk Driving Altogether.

Law enforcement region-wide is asking for everyone’s support this holiday weekend and all summer 

long:

Plan a safe way home before the fun begins.

Before drinking, designate a sober driver.

DDVIP: The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP mobile app is now available for 

free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app 

offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to 

find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all 

participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users can stay up-to-date with 

the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through 

the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can 

easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.  

DRUGS, MEDICATION & ALCOHOL= CRASHES:  Recent statistics reveal that 30 

percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  A study of 

active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) 

than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).  Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 

percent, slightly more than alcohol.

If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate “Report Drunk Drivers! 

Call 911!”

If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take your friend’s 

keys and help your friend make other arrangements to get to where he or she is going 

safely. 

Whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s never worth the risk to drive 

impaired. There’s always another way home. This Fourth of July, if law enforcement pulls you 

over for drunk driving, you will be arrested. 

For more information about the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, visit 

www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.