July 4 party plans should not include driving drunk

Friday, July 3, 2009

Officers will patrol the roads of Charles County, looking for drunk drivers and "arresting all those they encounter," according to a press release from the Charles County Sheriff's Office.

"Drunk drivers take a tremendous risk. Not only do they risk jail time and significant financial costs, but what's worse is the risk of killing themselves or someone else. There is simply no excuse for it," Sheriff Rex W. Coffey (D) said in the release. "The only way to avoid the risk is to find a safe and sober ride home."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2007, 34 percent of all drivers involved in car crashes during the Fourth of July holiday period — 6 p.m. July 3 to 5:59 a.m. July 5 — had a blood alcohol concentration at or above .08, the legal limit in all states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, according to the release. That year, there were also 200 traffic fatalities during the holiday period, 44 percent of which involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher, the release stated.

"Remember what Independence Day is really about and celebrate responsibly," Coffey said in the release.

The sheriff's office suggested that people plan a safe way home before beginning to celebrate on July 4 and advised them to hand their car keys over to a designated driver before starting to drink.

If anyone has been drinking until impaired, the sheriff's office said to use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, use public transportation or use the Safe Rides program offered by LifeStyles of Maryland by calling 866-293-0623.

The sheriff's office asks citizens to report drunk drivers immediately, according to the press release.