Mcleansboro Fire Department issued the following announcement on June 28.
Independence Day is a prime time for celebration. It’s also a time for high alert. In 2014, the National Safety Council declared Fourth of July the deadliest American holiday. Between 1986 and 2002, July 4th weekend consistently ranked at the top of car crashes, totaling 2,743 deaths annually.
The factors of such high crash rates are what you might expect. Of the major U.S. holidays, the Fourth is one of the most notorious for alcohol abuse. Forty-one percent of deaths generally involve high blood alcohol concentrations, second only to New Year’s Eve. Drivers also must share the road with more people traveling over the long weekend. You’d be doing yourself a favor by remembering these safety tips.
Drink responsibly
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a beer or a cocktail. There is something wrong when you’ve had several and make poor choices. It’s not worth the trouble, even if you’re not driving. Dumbing your sense makes you more susceptible to significant injury, whether it’s car-related or handling fireworks. That said, moderation is the key to a stress-free holiday. Manage your limits, or enlist a buddy to make sure you’re staying within the bounds of normal. You might also consider purchasing a certain amount of booze and sticking to it; once it’s gone, switch to seltzer.
Avoid rush hour traffic
Traffic spikes over the July 4th weekend. AAA estimates that 42 million drivers will travel more than 50 miles from home close to or on the Fourth.
BE SAFE DON'T BE A STATISTIC
Original source can be found here.
Source: Mcleansboro Fire Department
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