Oceanside CA— The 4^th of July holiday is a time to enjoy fireworks and show country pride but is also traditionally one of the more dangerous times on the road.
To keep families safe this Independence Day, the Oceanside Police Department along with other local law enforcement agencies throughout San Diego County will have increased enforcement focused on impaired driving during the 4^th of July holiday weekend.
According to preliminary data from the California Highway Patrol, seven people were killed and 73 injured in alcohol-related crashes statewide on Fourth of July last year. Every deadly crash involved a driver who had been drinking.
“Drinking and driving is a bad combination,” Oceanside Police Department Sergeant Davis said. “The consequences are abundantly clear, yet people still make the poor decision to drive after drinking. Please be smart and make this 4^th of July holiday a fun and memorable one.”
If you are headed to 4^th of July parties, designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening. If you are hosting a party, offer nonalcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor who is drinking. See people leaving who have been drinking? Check how they are getting home. Offer to let them stay the night if a sober driver is not available to take them home.
“Driving with just a buzz doesn’t cut it,” Sergeant Davis said. “With the rise in ride-share options, there really is no excuse for driving impaired.”
“Impaired driving crashes are 100 percent preventable,” said San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore. “One bad decision can change the rest of your life. Say no to impaired driving.”
The Sheriff’s Department arrested eight people for DUI on the Fourth of July in 2018. In 2017, deputies arrested five people during the same period. In 2018, deputies arrested 1,183 people for impaired driving. So far in 2019, 647 drivers have been arrested for DUI.
The average cost of a DUI arrest is approximately $13,500, accounting for vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes and other penalties. The Oceanside Police Department also reminds residents that prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana can all be impairing and land you a DUI, especially in combination with alcohol and/or other drugs.
Here are some sober rider options for the Fourth of July:
• MTS Bus and Trolley
• NCTD Bus and Coaster/Sprinter
Funding for DUI enforcement was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.