BEWARE: July 4th weekend is deadliest driving weekend of the year

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the July 4^th holiday period between 2009 -2013, 750 people lost their lives in drunk driving crashes involving drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. As always, do not drink and drive.

In the most recent year that we have statistics, 2013, Maryland State Police made approximately 3,227 traffic stops during the Fourth of July weekend. The MSP issued nearly 4,500 citations and warnings. In 2013 in Maryland 56 impaired drivers were pulled over.

Be extra careful at night. Consider sleeping where you party. Drivers involved in fatal crashes on July 4, 2012, had rates of impairment nearly 2.5 times higher at night than during the day, according to the NHTSA.

Extra time in the slammer over the weekend.

The courthouse is also on vacation this 4^th of July weekend. Under Maryland law, if you are arrested, you are supposed to see a commissioner within 24 hours. This requirement is routinely extended over long holiday weekends. In other words, if you get arrested on July 3^rd there is a chance you won’t see daylight until July 6^th. Call an Annapolis criminal attorney if this happens to you.

Extra DUI Checkpoints

Across Maryland and Anne Arundel County, police will be ramping up their enforcement efforts. (*Note: According to Officer Higgins, the Annapolis Police Department will NOT be conducting a DUI Checkpoint this weekend. However, the State police and Anne Arundel County will surely be increasing their enforcement efforts.)

Instead of getting a DUI, do these things according to the NHTSA:

DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.

Plan ahead. Plan a safe way home before you party.
Designate a sober driver.
If you’re drunk, use a taxi service or call a sober friend or family member or take the bus home.
Don’t hesitate to call the police if you see a drunk driver on the road.
If someone is about to drive drunk, take their keys or make arrangements for them to get home safely.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not create the attorney-client relationship. Please contact Annapolis DUI Lawyer Scott MacMullan Law, LLC at 443-494-9775 if you seek legal advice.

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