Drivers in the Twin Lakes will want to make sure they have a plan in place if they plan on enjoying a few drinks over the 4th of July holiday weekend. The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office will participate in the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign during the Independence Day holiday.
The Fourth of July is consistently one of the deadliest holidays for traffic crashes. From 2019 to 2023, 2,653 people were killed in traffic incidents during the holiday period nationwide, including 1,679 drivers. Of those drivers, 643 or 38% were legally drunk. The highest percentage of impaired drivers killed (48%) were between the ages of 21 and 34.
The Sheriff’s Office said it will maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward impaired driving, with no leniency for those caught driving under the influence.
“Driving under the influence is not only illegal, but a reckless act that endangers everyone on the road,” the agency said in a statement.
Officials encourage the public to plan ahead if drinking is part of their holiday plans. Options include using a designated driver, calling a taxi or rideshare, or arranging for alternate transportation before drinking begins. The Sheriff’s Office also encourages citizens to step in if someone they know is impaired and intends to drive, and to report suspected drunk drivers to law enforcement.
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