Reporting Deputy: Joshua Fransik
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Indian Wells and Palm Desert, Calif. – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Indian Wells reminds drivers to do their part to keep everyone safe on the road this Fourth of July weekend by planning ahead and celebrate the holiday responsibly.
This weekend and through Tuesday, July 4, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
In 2021, more than 500 people were killed in crashes throughout the country during the Fourth of July weekend. Of those deadly crashes, 39% involved alcohol. In California, 44people were killed in crashes during last year’s Independence Day weekend. In addition, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers made nearly 1,000 arrests for driving under the influence throughout the 3 ¼ day holiday enforcement period.
“If you plan on drinking this weekend, we want you to be safe and be smart by making a plan to go safely with a sober ride home,” Deputy Joshua Fransik said. “Think of your loved ones, friends, and family before thinking about driving after you’ve had a few drinks.”
While some festivities may include alcohol, driving under the influence also includes impairment from prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana. Do your research and be informed about how certain drugs may affect your driving ability.
If you are hosting friends and family for barbecues and watching fireworks shows, offer nonalcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor who is drinking. If you see people leaving who have been drinking, offer to have them stay the night or make arrangements for them to take a sober ride home.
If you see someone who appears impaired or driving recklessly, call 9-1-1. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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