July 4th celebrations often include cook-outs, picnics, boating, time spent with family and friends and, of course, fireworks. But for too many Americans the nation’s annual celebration is filled with tragedy, as it is one of the deadliest holidays of the year when it comes to alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities.
That’s why the Virgin Islands Police Department will be out in force during the holiday weekend, cracking down on impaired drivers with aggressive ‘Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. UnderArrest’enforcement.
In order to underscore the importance of the crackdown, the statistics for the Virgin Islands are as follows:
- At the time of July 4, 2009, National Impaired Driving Enforcement Campaign, the number of DUI arrests was 73; for the period leading up to July 4, 2010, the number of DUI arrests was 70; and for Fiscal Year 2011, thus far, the number of DUI arrests is 141.
- At the time of July 4, 2009 National Impaired Driving Enforcement Campaign, the number of DUI fatalities was seven; for the period leading up to July 4, 2010, the number of DUI fatalities was 2; and for Fiscal Year 2011, thus far, the number of DUI fatalities is 0.
“The Fourth of July is a time most Americans spend celebrating with family and friends, but it is also one of the year’s deadliest times on our roadways. So we will be out in force cracking down on drunk driving. If you are caught driving impaired, you will be arrested,” said Police Commissioner Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
In fact, 410 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationally during the Fourth of July weekend in 2009. Of that number, 40 percent involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.
“We want people to be careful all weekend, but particularly at night,” said Commissioner Francis. “The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2009 was four times higher at night than during the day.”
Also, the police commissioner said that much of the tragedy from drunk driving can be prevented with a few simple precautions before going out to celebrate:
- Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
- Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement
· And remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely
Impaired drivers not only take the risk of hurting or killing themselves or someone else, the trauma and financial costs of an alcohol-impaired-driving crash or an arrest can be significant. Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates and dozens of other unanticipated expenses.
“Alcohol impairs many of the skills that safe driving requires. So we will be showing zero tolerance, and anyone caught driving with a BAC of .08 or higher will be arrested,” said Francis. “It’s simply not worth the risk to you or to the thousands of innocent victims who are hurt or killed each year by drunk drivers. So if you are over the limit, you will get busted.”
Remember, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” Designate your sober driver before the parties begin.
