NEWINGTON, CT – As Connecticut residents prepare for the Fourth of July, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), in partnership with local and state police, is reminding everyone to celebrate safely and drive sober. Law enforcement agencies across the state will be increasing patrols and conducting sobriety checkpoints throughout the holiday weekend as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
The Fourt of July holiday is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to impaired driving crashes. According to NHTSA, about 34 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes everyday – that’s one person approximately every 40 minutes. From 2019 to 2023, more than 2,600 people were killed in crashes over the Fourth of July holiday period – 40% of the drivers killed were drunk.
In Connecticut, the statistics continue to be alarming. In 2024, preliminary data showed over the Fourth of July weekend, there were nearly 60 impaired driving crashes and one fatality. In total, impaired driving accounts for roughly 35-40% of all fatalities annually. In 2023, the most recent year with verified data, 113 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes.
“July 4 Fourth is a time for celebration, but also a time to take responsibility for each other’s safety," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “Driving impaired is a choice with deadly consequences. If you’re celebrating with alcohol, plan for a sober ride home before the night begins.”
This holiday sadly falls during the 100 Deadliest Days, a period when traffic fatalities, especially those involving teen drivers, tend to rise due to increased travel and riskier driving behaviors.
“Your Connecticut State Troopers remind drivers that following the rules of the road is everyone’s responsibility: buckle up, obey the speed limit, put down your cell phone, and stay focused on the most important task behind the wheel – driving,” said Colonel Daniel Loughman, Commanding Officer of the Connecticut State Police. “If you plan to consume alcohol or use cannabis while celebrating our nation’s 249th birthday, please designate a sober driver. Let’s ensure the holiday weekend is a time of celebration, not tragedy. If you see a driver you believe may be impaired, call 911 — it’s a real emergency.”
“We want everyone to enjoy the beauty and spirit of this historic Fourth of July in the great State of Connecticut, but that celebration should never come at the cost of someone’s life. If you plan to drink, don’t drive. Make a plan for a sober ride. Let’s work together to make this holiday safe for all,” said Chief Erik Costa of the Middletown Police Department and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association (CPCA).
CTDOT is reminding everyone:
- Never drink and drive. Even a single alcoholic beverage can impair your ability to drive. Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
- Utilize taxis, rideshare programs, or public transit if available.
- Report drunk drivers to local law enforcement.
- Prevent friends from driving drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive after drinking, take their keys and arrange a safe way for them to get home.
For more information, visit nhtsa.gov.