Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun on Monday wished county residents a happy Fourth of July and reminded them to be safe and use common sense as they celebrate Independence Day.
Residents are encouraged to drive sober or use designated drivers as they travel the county’s roads in cars or head out onto waterways in boats. America is a great nation and residents are encouraged to celebrate its birthday. However, he said, festivities must be tempered with practicality.
“Wear your seat belt, drive the speed limit, respect other people’s rights,” he said. “We’ll all just get along and have a great Fourth (of July).”
Independence Day routinely comes with an increase in vehicle crashes involving drunk drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A total of 2,228 people were killed in crashes over the July 4 holiday period from 2018 to 2022, of which 39% involved drunk drivers, the federal agency stated in a news release.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol, which provides additional traffic enforcement during the holiday, reported 76 vehicle crashes in 2023 resulting in 30 injuries and four deaths. The state law enforcement agency also reported issuing 4,458 citations and 49 arrests for driving impaired.