4th of July Drinking Facts and Statistics

NHTSA’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign Continues this Holiday

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  and law enforcement agencies across the country are once against teaming up for their Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign. As noted by police departments and sheriff’s agencies throughout the U.S., there will be an increase in officers watching for impaired drivers. The long holiday weekend begins July 3, 2020 and continues through Sunday July 5, 2020. NHTSA has put forward a number of startling statistics regarding the Fourth of July holiday. Read below and visit their website for more information on How to Get Home Safely Without Driving.

  • 40% of traffic fatalities that occurred during the July 4th holiday in 2018 involved alcohol.
  • 71% of those alcohol-impaired drivers had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or above.
  • During the 2018 holiday the vast majority of drunk driving fatalities happened at night.
  • In 2018, one person was killed by a drunk driver every 50 minutes.
  • Driving Under the Influence can cost you upwards of $10,000 after fines, fees and an increase in insurance premiums.
  • You can face jail time and the loss of your driving privileges for driving under the influence.

Bottom line: NHTSA advocates partying with a plan. It is never ok to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. Fourth of July turns deadly for far too many people, including children who are often out late enjoying fireworks and festivities. It simply is not worth it.

If you believe that you have alcohol use disorder or a dependence on alcohol, there is no better time to get the help you need. Staying sober during celebrations can be hard but it is achievable. You are not alone. Today, there are more treatment options than ever before.