Star-Spangled Safety Tips for Independence Day Travels

For many, the Fourth of July is the most anticipated summer celebration. Countless Americans are gearing up for a long weekend of backyard parties, beach days, and barbeques. As the excitement builds, it is important to keep in mind the risk of crowded holiday roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were over 600 traffic fatalities during the 2023 Fourth of July holiday weekend. When planning your Independence Day celebration, consider the following to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Safe and Sober Driving

On July Fourth, holiday parties will only add to traffic, and the excitement for celebration can lead to deadly driving decisions. In New York State, over 37,000 tickets were issued under Governor Hochul’s Holiday Traffic Safety Enforcement Drive. This campaign ran from July 3 through July 7, and the tickets issued included:

• 1,300+ for not wearing a seat belt

• 360 for distracted driving

• 4,200+ for speeding

  
  

These tickets are easily avoidable, and abiding by traffic rules helps to keep passengers and pedestrians safe. If driving or carpooling on Independence Day, remember that everyone in the vehicle needs to buckle up. Make sure that the vehicle is not overcrowded and that each seat has only one passenger.

You can’t stop others from speeding or driving distracted, but you can prevent yourself from doing the same. Be aware of holiday traffic and give yourself extra time to reach your destination. If given the choice between being safe and being on time, always choose to be safe.

Possibly the biggest safety concern on July Fourth is drunk driving. During last year’s Safety Enforcement Drive, over 1,200 New Yorkers were charged with impaired driving. 251 people were arrested for drunk driving last year, and in 2023, 38% of July Fourth traffic fatalities involved a drunk driver.

Alcohol poses great risks when driving, and with increased holiday traffic it is key to have a safety plan. Keep these tips in mind:

• Plan and assign designated drivers. Make sure everyone has a safe way home.

• Designate experienced drivers who are comfortable with driving in holiday traffic.

• Don’t be a bystander. Nearly 70% of Americans have noticed someone attempting to drive drunk. Less than 1 in 3 of those people tried to stop them.

• Utilize public transportation and taxi services.

Even if you do everything right, others on the road may drive drunk or impaired. If you are driving this holiday weekend, be aware of traffic, leave space between yourself and other vehicles, and don’t become distracted by your phone or passengers.

Pedestrian Safety

Drunk driving fatalities are not the only risk that grows on Independence Day. In efforts to avoid traffic, many Americans will turn to walking or biking as alternatives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a pedestrian was killed in a traffic crash every 72 minutes throughout 2023. With the uptick in July Fourth traffic fatalities, it is essential that pedestrians practice safe habits.

When walking or biking over the holiday weekend, remember to practice caution. Cross the street at crosswalks and wait for signals. If traveling at night, wear reflective clothing and stay in well-lit areas. Travel in the opposite direction of traffic and stay on the sidewalk-- or as far from the road as possible.

Keep in mind that walking or biking while drunk, high, or distracted is not a safe alternative to impaired driving. Keep an eye on those who plan to walk or bike home from celebrations. If concerned for their safety, offer them a ride or a place to stay.

As you prepare to celebrate with your family and friends, prioritize safety by planning ahead, assigning designated drivers, and offering rides ahead of time. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe and have a great Fourth of July!

About Walk Safe Long Island (WSLI)

WSLI is a pedestrian and cyclist safety campaign that aims to teach Long Islanders about walking and biking safely through law-based education. WSLI is produced for the New York Coalition for Transportation Safety by the Long Island Health Collaborative, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a grant from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

New York State is taking numerous measures to tackle the issue of pedestrian and cyclist safety, all of which culminate in the New York State Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP). The plan emphasizes making streets safer by implementing the “Three Es—” engineering, enforcement, and education. Walk Safe Long Island is part of the third “E,” education.