COVID19 Public Health Information

Batavia, Ohio – Americans love to celebrate the Fourth of July with family, friends, food and fireworks, but too often alcohol turns the party into a tragedy, making this iconic holiday one of the most deadly days of the year on the nation’s roads.

That’s why this Fourth of July Law Enforcement will be stepping up police presence throughout Clermont County as part of the ongoing “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement crackdown to catch and arrest impaired drivers who put themselves and others at risk.

The percentage of fatalities from impaired driving spike around the Fourth of July. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 251 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes during the Fourth of July holiday in 2011 (which ran from 6 p.m., July 1, to 5:59 a.m., July 5.)  Of those fatalities, 38 percent were in crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 g/dL is the legal intoxication limit in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the various U.S. territories.

The level of drunk-driving fatalities is not unique to 2011.  According to additional data from NHTSA, during July 4th holidays over the last five years (from 2007 to 2011), 780 people lost their lives in crashes involving drivers who had BACs of .08 g/dL or higher.  These fatalities accounted for 40 percent of all highway deaths over the five-year period.

While death and injury are of course the most serious of possible consequences of drunk driving, there are other negative considerations that can affect lives for many years, including loss of a driver licenses, vehicle impoundment, jail time, lawyer fees, court costs, insurance hikes, just to name a few.

Clermont County Safe Communities recommends these simple tips for a safe Fourth of July:

• Plan a safe way home before the fun begins;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact Local Law Enforcement;
• 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.

For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober.

Content Provided By: Julie Bryant, Assistant Director of Nursing, Clermont County General Health District

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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director, Annette Meagher at (513) 441-9647 or by e-mail, ameagher@clermontcountyohio.gov