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Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

While the Fourth of July should be a time of celebration with friends and family, too often it ends tragically with a death that could have been prevented. Sadly, this holiday is one of the deadliest holidays of the year for alcohol impaired driving crashes.

In an effort to reduce the number of fatalities this July 4th, the Mount Rainier Police Department reminds everyone that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving and challenges all drivers to plan ahead this holiday week to prevent them or a loved one from becoming another tragic statistic.

Too often when people are celebrating on the Fourth of July, they aren’t thinking about the consequences that their actions could have on their family or on others. These consequences, such as possible jail time, insurance hikes, potential loss of driver’s license, harming and/or killing others, just to name a few should be enough of an incentive not to drink and drive. As people gather with their families and friends to celebrate our Nation’s birthday, we want to remind you to plan ahead to keep you and your loved ones safe.

The Mount Rainier Police Department recommends these simple tips for a safe Fourth of July:

• Plan a safe way home before the fun begins;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• Use your community’s SoberRide program;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to call 911;
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

Just remember: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving, so always be responsible. Never get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking. Designate a driver if you’re going to drink, call a cab or take public transportation if everyone in your group has been drinking. In the end, if everyone pitches in we can keep our roadways safe this Fourth of July.

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