AAA Northern New England is urging those who celebrate the Fourth of July to avoid drinking and driving by designating a sober driver. Drinking drivers frequently don’t plan for other ways to get home because they are concerned about retrieving their vehicle the next day. They cite taxi costs and inconvenience as reasons they don’t use alternate transportation, according to AAA. 

AAA projects 2.18 million New Englanders will journey 50 miles or more from home this Independence Day, a 1.2 percent increase from the 2.14 million people who traveled last year. More than 86 percent of these travelers (1.86 million) will travel by automobile, an increase of 1.1 percent over last Independence Day. The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, July 1 to Sunday, July 5.

“Drivers should be aware of the high crash risk from drinking and driving associated with holidays and we encourage them not to get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking,” said AAA Northern New England manager of public affairs Pat Moody.

Fourth of July is a traditional time for barbecues, family gatherings, parties, picnics and activities that contribute to a more relaxed atmosphere and more opportunities for drinking alcohol, according to Moody. It’s also an opportunity to plan ahead and designate a sober driver since law enforcement has planned ahead with increased enforcement patrols, he added.

“It only takes one or two drinks to slow physical and mental skills that affect vision, steering, braking judgment, and reaction time,” he said. “Drivers should be aware that the law enforcement agencies will be using sobriety checkpoints and extra patrols to look for drinking drivers during the holiday.”

Law enforcement officials arrest large numbers of DUI offenders every year.  Here is the number of DUI arrests and alcohol related fatalities from 2013.

DUI Arrests                                                    Alcohol Related Fatalities

Maine- 5,826                                                Maine- 42
New Hampshire- 3,700                                New Hampshire- 46
Vermont- 2,476                                            Vermont- 19

A recent AAA report found that 14 percent of motorists admit to driving when they thought their blood alcohol content was above the legal limit. “This is entirely preventable,” said Moody.

People convicted of driving under the influence could lose many of the important things in their lives, such as family, job, dignity and money. AAA Northern New England estimates that a first offense misdemeanor DUI conviction can cost approximately $17,060 or more in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees and increased insurance costs. The cost is up 29 percent over the past few years – largely due to an increase in fines and insurance. 

Current laws, enforcement, public awareness, and education efforts by public service-oriented organizations, including AAA, have contributed to the decline in the number of alcohol-related fatalities during the past 11 years. More information can be found at www.AAA.com/DUIeducation

AAA advises that motorists can avoid DUI arrests by keeping these safety tips in mind:

• Before and at social events, designate non-drinking drivers who can get everyone home safely.
• Do not serve alcohol to anyone under age 21.
• Call a friend or family member for a ride home if you’ve been drinking. 
• Never ride as a passenger in a car driven by someone who has been drinking alcohol – even after just one drink.
• Keep a cab company telephone number in your wallet or cell so you can call for a ride home. There are also apps available to secure a ride home as well.
• As a party host and good friend or loving family member, offer a variety of non-alcoholic “mocktail” drinks, serve food as well as dessert and coffee and provide a gift to guests who volunteer to be designated drivers. Plan for and allow guests stay overnight. 
• Create a back up plan to spend the night at the party instead of driving home under the influence. 
• Take car keys away from friends and relatives who have been drinking.
• If you encounter an impaired driver on the road, keep a safe distance and ask a passenger to call 911 (or pull over to a safe location to make the call yourself).
• Remember: prescription, over-the-counter medications and illegal drugs also can impair your ability to drive safely.

Arrest Data Source: 2013 FBI Uniform Crime Report 

Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatality Data Source: NHTSA/FARS, 1/15