While most Americans will be letting freedom ring this Fourth of July, drunk drivers risk losing theirs behind bars.

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office will crack down on drunk drivers as part of a “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest” Fourth of July enforcement blitz. To keep the streets safe for Independence Day revelers, officers will patrol the highways and byways of Charles County for drunk drivers, arresting all those they encounter.        

“Drunk drivers take a tremendous risk. Not only do they risk jail time and significant financial costs but what’s worse is the risk of killing themselves or someone else. There is simply no excuse for it,” said Sheriff Rex W. Coffey. “The only way to avoid the risk is to find a safe and sober ride home.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2007, 34 percent of all drivers involved in traffic crashes during the Fourth of July holiday period — 6 p.m. July 3 to 5:59 a.m. July 5 — had a blood alcohol concentration at or above .08, the legal limit in all states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. That year, there were also 200 traffic fatalities during the holiday period, 44 percent of which involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher.

“Drunk driving is no accident, nor is it a victimless crime,” said Sheriff Coffey. “It is a serious offense with life-altering consequences and it is not something we will allow to happen on our roadways.”

Drunk driving remains one of America’s deadliest problems. In 2007, NHTSA reports 41,059 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes and 12,998 of them were killed in crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher.

NHTSA statistics also show alcohol is a contributing factor to many motorcycle fatalities. In 2007, NHTSA says 41 percent of the 2,182 motorcycles riders who died in single-vehicle crashes had BAC levels of .08 or higher.

The Sheriff’s Office offers the following suggestions for celebrating a safe Fourth of July:
* Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
* Designate a sober driver and give that person your keys before you begin drinking.

* If you are impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation.
* Use the Safe Rides program offered by LifeStyles of Maryland by calling 1-866-293-0623.
* If you see a drunk driver on the road, call police immediately.

“Remember what Independence Day is really about and celebrate responsibly,” said Sheriff Coffey.