FORT HUACHUCA, Arizona -- Every day law enforcement officers here work endless hours to keep community members safe and remind drivers that decisions they make before getting behind the wheel are critical.
Drunk driving can be one of the deadliest decisions.
This July 4th, as friends and family travel to picnics and barbecues, state, city and federal law enforcement agencies will be out in full force, stopping drunk drivers by aggressively targeting those who put lives in danger.
"As you prepare to drive home from the festivities, keep in mind that even one drink can be one too many," said Adrian Galindo, deputy chief of police. "This Fourth of July and every day, remember, 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.'"
For as many good memories as the Independence Day holiday can provide, it can also create devastating nightmares for families who lose a loved one due to drunk driving.
During the 2015 July 4th holiday period (6 p.m. July 2 to 5:59 a.m. July 6), 92 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or higher. Another 146 people died in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC of .08. In fact, from 2011 to 2015, 39 percent of all traffic fatalities over the July 4th period occurred in alcohol-impaired crashes.
"If you choose to head out to a Fourth of July party and make the terrible decision to drink and drive, don't be mistaken--if you get caught, you will be arrested," Galindo said. "This is deadly, irresponsible behavior, and we will be out in full force to put a stop to it wherever we can.
The 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign means zero tolerance for drunk driving. There are plenty of safe ways for you to get home after a night of drinking alcohol. We will accept no excuses."
In every state and the District of Columbia, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.
"Still think drinking and driving isn't really a big deal?" Galindo asked. "The consequences could be everlasting.
"First and foremost, you could kill yourself or someone else. If you kill someone else, you could be charged with manslaughter. Not only could you put your life and the lives of others at risk, but a DUI arrest means a loss of freedom and money, including going to jail, losing your license and paying steep financial expenses. The average DUI cost is approximately $10,000."
NHTSA data shows that young drivers (18 to 34 years old) are especially at risk of driving drunk. In fact, 49 percent of the drivers 18 to 34 years old who were killed over the July 4th period in 2015 were driving drunk (BAC of .08 or higher).
Motorcycle operators are also overrepresented as the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes. In 2015, more than a third (36 percent) of motorcycle operators in fatal crashes had BACs of .08 or higher.
Not surprisingly, drunk driving is more common at night. Over the July 4th holiday in 2015, nearly half (44 percent) of the drivers in nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) fatal crashes were alcohol-impaired, compared to 19 percent of drivers in fatal crashes during the day.
"This Fourth of July, don't risk losing your life or your independence by drinking and driving," Galindo warned. "Help make everyone's holiday at Fort Huachuca safer by driving sober. "Remember, there's no excuse -- 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.'"
The Fort Huachuca Directorate of Emergency Services recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving.
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you've had one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation to get home safely.
- Download NHTSA's SaferRide mobile app available on Google Play for Android devices and Apple's ITunes Store for IOS devices. SaferRide allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend, and identifies the user's location so he or she can be picked up.Use your community's sober ride program.
- Use the Community Safe Ride Program.
Evelyns Taxi 520.775.2448
Two Tone 520.439.8294
Slick's Shuttle 520.458.1888
Huachuca Shuttle 520.439.0439
Yellow Cab Tucson 520.300.0000
Arizona World Shuttle 520.458.3330
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the Military Police Desk at 520.533.3000.
- Know a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
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