ABC Advocates for a Safe and Responsible July 4 Weekend

Sacramento – The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) encourages the public to celebrate Independence Day weekend responsibly by designating a sober driver for celebrations involving alcohol. Licensees can help keep the public safe by checking IDs and not serving obviously intoxicated patrons.

“If you’re impaired—do not drive. Plan for a safe and sober ride before you go out,” said ABC Chief Deputy Director Frank Robles. “ABC agents will be working to keep communities safe as well, ensuring licensees check IDs and don’t overserve patrons.”

ABC suggests licensees offer nonalcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor who is drinking alcohol. If you see people leaving who have been drinking alcohol, check on how they are getting home and offer alternate transportation if needed.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will deploy extra patrol officers over the holiday weekend as part of a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 6. There were 68 people killed in crashes on California’s roadways during the 2023 Independence Day MEP, and CHP made 1,224 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 37 people die in the United States every day from drunk-driving crashes. In 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths.

ABC’s Independence Day enforcement efforts are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Remember to report drunk drivers by calling 911.

Contact

Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Public Information Office
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (916) 419-2525

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