July 4th is a time to celebrate our nation’s independence and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Those freedoms do not include drinking and driving.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Independence Day ranks among the deadliest holiday periods on Texas highways due to an increase in alcohol-related crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), half of the accidents that occur on Independence Day weekend for the past 25 years, and 43 percent of all traffic fatalities on this holiday weekend are related to drunk driving.
A grant from TxDOT provides funding for increased patrols targeting drug and alcohol impaired driving in the days leading up to and immediately following the July 4th holiday. During the 2012 July 4th enforcement period, DPS troopers made 1,294 DWI arrests.
Although there has not been an announcement of increased DWI enforcement statewide, cities in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, such as Allen, are stepping up their own patrols.
Keep yourself, your family, and others safe this July 4th holiday with these tips:
If you choose to drink, choose a designated driver. Do not get behind the wheel of the car if you have been drinking. Instead, plan to have a designated driver, or call a cab to be sure you get home safely. If you are out with family or friends who have been drinking, do not let them leave without a designated driver.
Stick to the right lane. The majority of wrong-way crashes are the result of drunk driving. If you are driving in the right lane, you will be more likely to avoid being hit by a drunk driver who drifts into oncoming traffic.
Avoid driving late at night. Nobody wants to be the one who leaves the party early, but doing so could mean the difference between getting home safe or being involved in an accident.
Report suspected drunk drivers. If you notice another driver drifting in and out of his or her lane, or driving erratically, call 911.
If you have been charged with DWI or DUI, contact Roger Haynes, an experienced Dallas criminal defense attorney. Roger has taken hundreds of DWIs to trial and can help you avoid the potential pain and embarrassment of a criminal conviction on your record.