July Fourth is the perfect excuse to enjoy food, fun, and maybe a few drinks with family and friends. Whether you’re attending Freedom Fourth at Balloon Fiesta field or hitting the downtown bars, Albuquerque is the perfect place to celebrate Independence Day.
Unfortunately, July Fourth is one of the most dangerous holidays of the year. Fireworks, hot grills, congested traffic, and other hazards can cause serious injuries or worse. What’s more, drunk driving rates spike on Independence Day. On July 4, 2014, more than 160 people died in accidents that involved a drunk driver or motorcyclist.
The best way to prevent injuries is to be proactive about road safety. These three tips can help you avoid accidents on July Fourth:
- Do not drink and drive;
- Look for signs of intoxication from other drivers;
- And use a taxi or rideshare service.
Here are three tips that could save your life on Independence Day:
- Do Not Drink and Drive
The best way to avoid a drunk-driving accident is to stay sober if you intend to get behind the wheel. Unfortunately, many people believe they can operate a vehicle safely after a few drinks. In fact, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the average drunk driver will operate a vehicle while impaired more than 80 times before being arrested.
Driving under the influence puts your life, your passengers’ lives, and the lives of other road users at risk. Do not take the chance.
- Look for Signs of Intoxication from Other Drivers
As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains, police use more than 100 visual cues to identify drunk drivers. If you know the signs, then you will be better able to avoid a drunk-driving crash. Examples include:
- Swerving;
- Almost hitting an object in the road;
- Stopping well before or after a stop line;
- Not using headlights at night;
- Using the wrong turn signal;
- Parking too far from a curb;
- And abnormal accelerating and braking patterns.
- Use a Taxi or Rideshare Service
Both Uber and Lyft operate in Albuquerque. If you intend to drink or if your driver gets drunk, use a taxi or rideshare service to get to your destination.
Ask friends to split the fare. Even if you’re riding alone, the cost of a rideshare is much cheaper than a DWI.