America’s Independence Day is behind us until next year, however, with the weekend upon us, the festivities are not over. More barbecues, picnics, and parties are in store for this weekend. You might take advantage of the long weekend by going out of town. You might gather with friends and family, or work on your suntan at the beach. Whatever you decide to do this holiday weekend, keep in mind that just because the 4th of July has passed does not mean that cops have returned to their desks at the station. DUI checkpoints and roving patrols will be in full force for the rest of the weekend. This happens in the hopes of keeping Connecticut safe.
4th of July Car Accident Statistics
It is no secret that DUI arrests peak during the holidays. So do motor vehicle accidents. And the 4th of July is consistently the deadliest holiday in Connecticut. It outranks even New Year’s Eve in terms of vehicle fatalities. Last year, Connecticut reported 323 motor vehicle crashes during Independence Day weekend alone. This year, the police are cracking down harder than ever on drunk and reckless driving. The police have new ways to catch speeding cars on the highway. These include laser-powered speed measuring units. They will be placed all over the state to encourage people to slow down. If you’re interested in a complete list of patrol plans, Connecticut state police have outlined them here.
Staying Safe
While basking in the sun and enjoying the company of friends and family, make safety a priority this weekend. Make a plan to have a designated driver before you go out. If you are the designated driver, observe safe driving rules by driving below the speed limit, fully stopping at stop lights and signs, and remaining alert on the highway. If you do you choose to enjoy alcoholic beverages this weekend, check this chart before getting in the car, to make sure that you are safe to drive. Enjoy the holiday weekend everyone, and be safe!