California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
07/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/03/2024 12:43
ABC Advocates for a Safe and Responsible Independence Day
Sacramento - The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) encourages the public to celebrate the Fourth of July responsibly by designating a sober driver for celebrations involving alcohol. Licensees can help keep the public safe by checking IDs and not serving obviously intoxicated patrons.
"Improving safety is always our number one goal," said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. "In addition to the work ABC agents will be doing this holiday, we can all do our part in keeping everyone safe by planning to take alternative transportation or designate a sober driver to get home safely following events involving alcohol."
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will deploy extra patrol officers over the holiday weekend as part of a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 7. There were 68 people killed in crashes on California's roadways during the 2023 Independence Day MEP, and CHP made 1,224 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 37 people die in the United States every day from drunk-driving crashes. In 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths.
ABC's Fourth of July enforcement efforts are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Remember to report drunk drivers by calling 911.
Contact
Additional information may be obtained by contacting:
Public Information Office
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (916) 419-2525