With the Fourth of July holiday only days away, state officials are urging motorists to drive sober.
Independence Day is one of the deadliest times of the year to be on the road, and since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of traffic fatalities have continued to rise. Last year in Indiana, a total of 931 people lost their lives on the road – the highest in the past decade, according to a news release from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).
Early estimates for this year show that 404 people have been killed in crashes so far — 17 more when compared to the same time in 2021, ICJI officials said.
Evidence suggests that the rising death toll stems from an increase in dangerous driving behavior, which did worsen during the pandemic but also tends to be more prevalent around certain holidays like the Fourth of July. In addition to impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and not wearing a seat belt are also concerns, officials say.
Most deaths and injuries due to crashes are avoidable if drivers and members of the public exercise caution and follow the rules of the road by slowing down, wearing a seat belt, paying attention and driving sober, ICJI officials say.
For those planning to attend a party this weekend, they should plan ahead for a safe ride home by designating a sober driver in advance or by using a ride service or public transportation. In Indianapolis this weekend, ICJI’s Sober Ride Indiana program is running a special holiday campaign where from July 1-4, people in need of a ride can get $15 off Uber and Lyft rides up to 1,000 redemptions, according to the news release.
The credits are only available between the hours of 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. while supplies last. To redeem a discounted ride, visit SoberRideIndiana.com.
