The Indiana State Police, in partnership with the Governor’s Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), would like to remind all Indiana motorists to celebrate July Fourth responsibly by driving sober and safe.
“Lower gas prices this long 4th of July weekend likely means even more people will be traveling by car over the holiday weekend,” said Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter. “For this reason the state police will have additional patrols looking for impaired and aggressive drivers, as well as people that are not using their seatbelts. So, if you choose to drink and drive, expect to spend most of your weekend behind bars.”
During the 2015 July Fourth holiday period (6:00 p.m., July 3 through 5:59 a.m., July 6), there were 964 traffic collisions in Indiana. Of those, 64 were alcohol-related, with 73 percent involving a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or greater. In total, there were 43 injuries and 2 deaths as a result of alcohol-related crashes.
“Crashes due to impaired driving are an unnecessary reality we can all prevent,” said Council Chair Todd Meyer. “By looking out for ourselves and one another, we can work together to keep each and every motorist safe this July Fourth.”
The Indiana State Police, the Governor’s Council, and ICJI would like to remind motorists that crashes and deaths resulting from impaired driving can be prevented with the following precautions:
- Before the celebration begins, plan a safe way home
- Do not drive or ride impaired
- If you do drink, use a taxi, public transportation, ridesharingservice or designate a sober friend or family member and give them your keys
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911
- If you know someone who is about to drive or ride impaired, take their keys and help make arrangements to get them home safely