Independence Day is right around the corner, and the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office is reminding those planning to celebrate with a cold one or two to plan a sober ride home.

According to a department Facebook post, the Fourth of July holiday period, which encompasses the Fourth and the 30 hours before and after the holiday, is usually one of the deadliest on our roads.

"From 2016 to 2020, there were 1,390 drivers killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the 4th of July holiday period," the post reads. "Thirty-nine percent (542) of the drivers killed were alcohol-impaired (with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), and more than half (51%) were between the ages of 21-34."

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To keep you, your loved ones, and everyone else safe on the road, the sheriff's office urges you to follow these safety tips:

  • Plan ahead: If you wait until you’ve been drinking to make the right decision, you might not. Before you have one drink, designate a sober driver who won’t be drinking.
  • If it’s your turn to be the designated driver, take your job seriously and don’t drink.
  • It’s already the law, so make it a personal rule: only drive 100% sober. That means no alcoholic beverages — not even one if you’re driving.

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