Protect Your Family From Drunk Drivers Over Fourth of July Weekend

July 1, 2009

CHAPIN, SC – July 1, 2009 – Holidays are always dangerous times to be on the road, and the Fourth of July is traditionally the deadliest holiday weekend for drunk driving. The Federal Highway Administration predicts that more than 31 million people will take to the nation’s highways over the Fourth of July weekend.

Based on data from the National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,200 people may die, and 175,000 crashes will occur over this period. Based on previous years’ statistics, as many as one-half of fatal crashes will involve alcohol.  A recent NHTSA survey showed that impaired driving is the top concern for Americans during this July 4th holiday period, ahead of drowning, fireworks and food poisoning.

Drunk drivers share the road with you and your family, says Allstate agent Laurie Grooms.  Even if you never drink and drive, you can help save lives by being a responsible party host, preventing friends and acquaintances from driving drunk, and reporting suspicious drivers.

To protect families from drunk drivers over the July 4th holiday weekend, here are some life-saving tips from the Allstate Insurance Company and the National Safety Council:

  • Don’t drink and drive. If you know you will be drinking alcohol, use a designated driver or public transportation.
  • If you spot an impaired driver on the highway, maintain a safe following distance and don’t attempt to pass.
  • Report a suspected drunk driver immediately to area law enforcement from your car phone or a pay phone. Give police as much information (i.e., license plate number, make, model and color of vehicle, direction vehicle is traveling, physical description of driver) as possible.
  • Make sure children are properly fastened in seatbelts or child safety seats in the back seat every time they ride in a car. Six out of ten children killed in crashes are not restrained. Children age 12 and under should always ride in the back seat, especially in vehicles with air bags.
  • Allow enough travel time for frequent breaks on longer trips. Drowsiness can reduce reaction time almost as much as drinking.

For more information on this and other safety topics, contact Grooms at 803.932.1001 or via email at [email protected].

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the You’re In Good Hands With Allstate® slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers. Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products and services at myallstatefinancial.com.