With the Independence Day holiday this weekend state transportation officials are reminding Kentuckians that “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray says unfortunately the summertime celebration has the potential to create dangerous road conditions when drivers choose to drive while impaired. He adds if a driver is under the influence of any substance and choose to get behind the wheel, they put everyone on the roadway in danger, including themselves.
According to the KYTC last year in Kentucky there were 66 crashes due to a drunken or drugged driver over the Fourth of July holiday period, resulting in 28 injuries and four deaths. Office of Highway Safety Acting Executive Director Jason Siwula state impaired driving is 100 percent preventable and is urging Kentuckians to make sure they have a sober designated driver for all festivities, make smart choices, and celebrate responsibly.
Impaired driving fatalities typically spike during holidays and the KYTC is recommending several tips to safely celebrate the holiday including planning a safe way to get home at the end of the night, using a ride-booking company, taxi, sober friend of family member to get home when impaired, wearing a seat belt, and helping make other arrangements for friends who are impaired to keep them from driving.
For more information on drunken or drug-impaired driving you can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration online here.