Montanans: Plan for a Sober Ride and Help Everyone Get Home Safely This Fourth of July

As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, Valley County Sheriff’s Office, Glasgow Police Department, and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) are encouraging Montanans to plan for a sober ride home before they celebrate. The Fourth is one of the deadliest holidays in Montana, so local law enforcement will be increasing patrols in Valley County and City of Glasgow, making DUI arrests to ensure every Montanan gets home safely. Valley County Sheriff’s Office, Glasgow Police Department, MHP and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) are committed to reducing fatalities and serious injuries on Montana’s roadways during busy holiday weekends.

According to MDT, if drivers have a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .08 or higher, they could receive a DUI charge and other serious consequences, including having their driver’s license revoked, being required to take mandatory classes, and receiving possible jail time and up to $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

“If you’re drinking this holiday weekend, be sure to make a plan for a safe ride home” said Undersheriff Chris Richter with the Valley County Sheriff’s Office. “The important thing to know is how you’re getting home even before you go out. There are lots of ways to plan for a sober ride. Designate one of your friends as a sober driver, arrange for a rideshare service/cab/public transportation, or call a friend or family member. If you see your friends have had too much to drink, have their back and help them get home safely too.”

Why is Law Enforcement on high alert during the holiday weekend? These are Montana’s sobering statistics:

The state has the highest share of alcohol-related traffic deaths at 45% (2020)

66% (2020) of all fatalities are the result of impaired driving (up from 58% during 2019)

1227 people were killed in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver from 2011–2020

“By making a plan before you go out, you’ll help keep our roads safer for everyone and protect our great state,” said MHP Colonel Steve Lavin. “Make sure you celebrate responsibly as you gather with friends and family on the Fourth. Together we can keep our community safe.”

Montana Department of Transportation — Vision Zero

This is a Vision Zero message from the Montana Department of Transportation. This and other enforcement and educational campaigns are strategies to reach Vision Zero — zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana roadways. For more information about Vision Zero, contact Janet Kenny, Montana Department of Transportation, 406-444-7417 or [email protected].