There are many activities that when done while driving create an increased risk of the vehicle being involved in an accident. Some examples of these things include distracted driving, such as texting, and speeding or driving too fast for weather conditions. One thing that is especially dangerous is drunk driving, and July is the month where the most fatalities related to drunk driving occur.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, July is the month of the year where the most people are killed in crashes that involve drunk driving. Officials state that the holiday, the 4th of July, is a big factor in contributing to the amount of fatal accidents that occur. The 4th of July is a holiday that is often accompanied with barbecues, fireworks and drinking of alcoholic beverages. The increased amount of drinking on the holiday make it one of the deadliest holidays on the roadways of the year.

Not only does the 4th of July itself have high amounts of people driving while under the influence during the weekend following the 4th of July. Many people use the holiday to have a long weekend, which may include alcohol. People drinking and then driving results in an increase in the amount of accidents and fatalities related to driving while under the influence.

In 2017, almost 40% of the traffic deaths that occurred during the weeks of the 4th of July were alcohol-related. Additionally, in 2017, over 10,000 people died in alcohol related accidents. This statistic shows an average of one alcohol related driving death every 48 seconds occurred.

This 4th of July, we should all work to keep the roads safe for all. Some ways that we can make the roadways safer are staying off the roads if you have been drinking, using public transportation or having a designated driver.