Highway Patrol To Be Out In Full Force This Fourth

It's OK to mix food, family and friends on the Fourth of July. 

But mixing alcohol and driving can turn a celebration into a tragedy, warns the Florida Highway Patrol.

To ensure that the highways are safe this holiday weekend, the Florida Highway Patrol will be out in full force July 4-7, looking to remove impaired drivers from the road.

“The Florida Highway Patrol continues our commitment to making the highways a safer place to drive by increasing our patrol efforts during the holiday,” said FHP director, Col. David Brierton. “Our troopers will be on the roads, and taking enforcement action when needed, to ensure public safety for Florida motorists by reducing the number of alcohol-related crashes.”

All uniformed FHP personnel will be on duty to patrol interstates and other major state roads throughout the holiday period. The strategy aims to increase the patrol's presence throughout Florida in an effort to deter traffic violations and to enhance services to motorists who break down while traveling or who need other assistance.

Some tips from FHP for a safe Fourth of July:

• Plan a safe way home before the fun begins.

• Before drinking, designate a sober driver.

• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.

• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement.

• And remember, if you know people who are about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

To learn more about DHSMV and the services offered, visit www.flhsmv.gov, follow on Twitter @FDHSMV or find on Facebook.