Independence Day is just around the corner, and for many people, that means celebrating with family and friends at parades, barbecues, and pool parties.For some of those, alcohol will be a part of the celebration, and for those who choose to drive after drinking, the results can be deadly. In fact,while New Year's Eve has a reputation for being one of the deadliest nights on American roadways, the truth is that the Fourth of July holiday contributesto most DUI deaths each year.
A Pensacola News Journal article cites a National HighwayTransportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) study that shows roughly 40 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities each year occur during the Fourthof July weekend. That means one weekend accounts for nearly half of the year's traffic deaths, making July 4th the deadliest holiday in the UnitedStates. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that an average of 144 people each year die in traffic accidents on July 4. Thiscompares with an average of 36 traffic deaths per day the rest of the year.
The NHTSA also provides the following statistics regarding DUI deaths and the Fourth of July:
How can you protect yourself and your loved ones from a DUI accident this? The NHTSA recommends the following safety tips:
The Law Firm of Oklahoma attorneys and staff wish you a safe and happy Independence Day.