Stay Safe This 4th Of July

June 25, 2020

The 4th of July holiday is almost here. Even with our current pandemic situation, many people will be packing up the car and heading out for a summertime vacation. Vacation time also means many people will be celebrating with a drink or two. Just a word of caution – Do not drink and drive. That doesn’t just mean take the keys away from someone who is obviously inebriated, it means do not drive if you have been consuming alcohol at all.

Many people think they are just fine after a few. The fact is that even a small amount of alcohol can put you and others in harm’s way. Keep reading to find out why this is not true.

Legal Charges

Getting an alcohol-related driving charge (DWI, DUI, OWI, OVI) is a costly and serious offense. Many states can arrest someone for driving under the influence even if their blood alcohol content is below .08. Many people charged with one or more offenses find themselves without a license, unable to get to work, family gatherings, and other fun events. Also, there will be a stack of legal fees to face.

Big Expenses

Alcohol-related accidents on average cost Americans of more than $44 billion dollars every single year. Along with legal expenses, there will be towing and impounding charges, as well as repairs costs associated with automotive damages if there are any.

Combine that with your court fines, attorney fees, jail fees, probation-related costs, and charges for alternative transportation and you are looking at a lot of debt. Is it really worth it? The answer is always no. Find an alternative way to get around.

Potential Injury or Death

Finally, consider the impact that drinking and driving have on others around you. Every single day, close to 29 people in this country die because of a drunk driving accident. Around summer holidays, like 4th of July, that number is even higher and countless others are injured.

These are deaths and hospital visits that are totally preventable and easily avoided by simply calling a cab, friend, or a ride share. In addition to the costs, those that are involved in fatal drunk driving accidents are sure to receive harsher punishments and more jail time.

The Right Solution For You

If you or someone you know has already been charged with an alcohol-related driving offense, there are solutions out there to help you get your life back on track. One option may be to have an interlock device installed in your vehicle.

Many states allow offenders to drive again as long as they have an interlock device put into their car. In fact, 44 states currently have interlock programs throughout the United States.

How do they work? The ignition interlock in your car will be set up to prohibit driving if it reads alcohol on your breath. Most are set up to prevent the engine from starting up if levels are anywhere above a .02 BAC, however, the level is specific to your state’s requirements. Along with this, many will prompt you to retest later on down the road to ensure drivers do not start to drink after their vehicle has started.

An ignition interlock device can provide many benefits and they are good for public safety too. They keep drunk drivers off the roads, and they even help to reduce repeat offenses down the line, even after having the system removed from the vehicle.

Since 2006, over 2 million people under the influence have been stopped before they could drive thanks to ignition interlock devices. Fatalities due to alcohol-related driving incidents have been significantly reduced as well.