Drunk Driving Accidents on 4th of July Climbing

July 4th drunk driving accidents kill hundreds of Americans every year, including dozens of Texans. Tragically, these accidents have not been declining in recent years, despite widespread campaigns, local law enforcement crackdowns, and even the proliferation of rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft. 

Also devastating is the fact that July 4th drunk driving accidents do not just occur on Independence Day. They typically happen in the days leading up to the Fourth and can even spill over into the next day, depending on when the holiday falls. 

That’s just the beginning of the story told by the latest July 4th drunk driving accident statistics. Uncovering more, the following highlights: 

• Texas July 4th Drunk Driving Deaths: Recent Trends
• July 4th Drunk Driving Accidents in 2022: The Statistics
• Trends in Fatal Drunk Driving Accidents on July 4th
• 7 Must-Know July 4th Driving Safety Tips
• 7 Essential July 4th Pedestrian Safety Tips

To see how July 4th wrecks compare to other holidays, check out this analysis that also reveals which holiday is associated with the most deadly crashes in Texas.

Texas July 4th Drunk Driving Deaths: Recent Trends

Fatal drunk driving accidents on July 4th have skyrocketed in Texas in recent years. In fact, the latest data shows that deadly July 4th crashes involving drunk drivers have increased by nearly 43% since 2023. 

The table below breaks down how many fatal auto accidents have occurred on each July 4th holiday weekend over the past four years, also specifying the day of the week the holiday fell on. 

Please note that the above numbers include the Fri, Sat., Sun., and/or Mon. around the holiday as part of the “weekend” designation and that: 

• The 2020 July 4th holiday numbers were likely impacted by the pandemic and many cities altering traditional Independence Day celebrations: Some Texas cities canceled their events while others streamed fireworks and set up special “drive-in” locations to respect social distancing. That’s notable because the drop in drunk driving deaths that year was not necessarily reflective of major shifts in motorists’ behaviors or a lasting downturn in drunk driving accident trends.
• 2024 July 4th will kick off a holiday weekend: With the Fourth on a Thurs. in 2024, some authorities are anticipating even greater upticks in drunk driving and related wrecks this year.

July 4th Drunk Driving Accidents in 2022: The Statistics

Looking back and out a bit, the data on 2022 drunk driving accidents nationwide somewhat aligns with the trends in Texas, just on a much bigger scale. Specifically, according to federal authorities, in 2022: 

• 487 fatalities occurred on U.S. roads over the Fourth of July holiday period.
• Roughly 40% of all deaths on U.S. roads that occur over the July 4th holiday involve alcohol impairment. Compared to non-holidays, that’s about 7% more deaths caused by drunk drivers getting behind the wheel on July 4th holidays.
• About 27% of drunk driving traffic deaths involved at least one party with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above .15 g/dL. That’s nearly twice the legal limit (0.08).
• The number of drunk driving deaths on July 4th weekends exceeded the annual average over the past 4 years by more than 9%, reflecting a distributing upward trend in these fatalities.
• More than 63% of those killed in July 4th drunk driving accidents are motorists, including impaired and sober drivers.
• Motorists between 21 and 34 are the most likely to drive drunk on the July 4th holiday weekend. In fact, roughly 50% of drunk drivers on this holiday are between the ages of 21 and 34.

Any life lost to a drunk driving wreck is one too many, given the fact that alcohol-impaired crashes are 100% preventable. That does little to get justice for victims and their families, however, in the aftermath of these crashes. What can help is the counsel of an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer. 

Trends in Fatal Drunk Driving Accidents on July 4th

With a birds-eye view of the data on drunk driving accidents on July 4th, some key trends start to emerge: 

• Deaths spike on the weekends: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are especially deadly days, with more fatal wrecks happening on weekend days surrounding the Fourth than weekdays near this holiday.
• Nighttime is especially deadly: There’s generally a higher risk of drunk drivers on the roads at night when compared to the daytime, and that holds true over the July 4th holidays too. In fact, the chances of fatal drunk driving crashes nearly triple after dark on the Fourth.
• Men tend to drive impaired more than females: More men tend to make the choice to drive while impaired, especially younger men under the age of 34.

Knowing these trends may help you make smarter, safer choices for navigating the roads whenever July 4th rolls around. So can the tips that follow. 

7 Must-Know July 4th Driving Safety Tips

If you drive before, on, or right after the July 4th holiday, here are some simple ways to minimize your risk of a drunk driving accident: 

1. Only Drive Sober: Sober means zero alcohol and zero mind-altering drugs. If you want to drink or engage in anything that will render you not sober, plan on getting a ride.
2. Buckle Up: Always wear your seatbelt. Buckling up can cut your risk of serious injury and death in half if you’re hit by a drunk or reckless driver. That makes it the single easiest and most effective way to minimize potential injuries if a wreck happens.
3. Pay Attention Behind the Wheel: Focus on the action of driving and your surrounding environment. Avoid distractions, such as cellphones, eating, or adjusting the radio while driving.
4. Follow Speed Limits: Comply with the posted speed limits and take it slower in busy areas, especially when you’re around heavy pedestrian traffic.
5. Watch for Pedestrians: July 4th is a big day for pedestrian traffic in many cities, especially around parks and event venues. Also, some neighborhoods make it a point to throw block parties, bringing out even more pedestrians. So, stay vigilant for pedestrians, taking it much slower around them and giving them plenty of space.
6. Be Patient: Expect more traffic, delays, and even maybe different routes for things like parades. With that, do your best to avoid aggressive driving and plan a little extra time for any trip.
7. Stay Alert for Unsafe Drivers: Do not expect other motorists to do the right thing behind the wheel, be sober, or comply with traffic laws in general. Instead, drive defensively and stay vigilant for other motorists who may not be compliant with the laws (or fully sober).

There’s a lot you can do to protect yourself on the roads of Texas on July 4th — and over any holiday weekend when drunk driving spikes. Unfortunately, you cannot control what other people choose to do on July 4th or any time they get behind the wheel. When others make reckless choices that hurt you, you can turn to an experienced attorney to find out more about your rights and legal options. 

7 Essential July 4th Pedestrian Safety Tips

Whenever you’re walking near traffic or motor vehicles on a July 4th holiday weekend, here’s how you can stay safe as a pedestrian:

1. Stay Visible: Avoid vehicle blind spots and try to only walk in areas where motorists would expect to see pedestrians. That means sticking to sidewalks, crosswalks, and other designated walking areas.
2. Make Eye Contact: Connecting eyes with drivers before you start walking in front of or around their vehicles can ensure they see you first. If you’re unsure if the motorist sees you because, for instance, they’re wearing sunglasses, give a quick wave first to make sure they waive back or somehow acknowledge your presence before crossing their path.
3. Obey Traffic Signals: Comply with pedestrian traffic signals and never cross when the “Don’t Walk” sign is on.
4. Remain Alert: Keep your eyes and ears open and aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions, like phones or loud music. The more focused you are while walking, the better you’ll be at recognizing and avoiding any risks ASAP, like motorists veering out of their lane of traffic.
5. Stay in Groups: Walking in groups can increase visibility and safety, making it easier for drivers to see you and steer clear of you.
6. Walk Defensively: Don’t expect drivers or others to automatically look out for you. Instead, it’s better to assume that they do not see you — or that they could do the wrong thing. This mentality can help you make safer choices as a pedestrian, especially whenever there are any points of “interaction” with vehicles.
7. Wear Bright, Reflective Gear After Dark: If you’re walking after dark on July 4th, stay in well-lit areas and try to wear bright, reflective clothing so that you are as easy as possible to see in lower visibility conditions. 

These tips can help you prepare for a safe and fun Fourth of July. Whenever you need answers about how to recover from a motor vehicle accident that may have been caused by someone else, it’s time to contact a trusted attorney.