Montanans: The 100 deadliest days are here. Plan for a sober ride this Fourth of July

Press release

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, Havre law enforcement agencies and the Montana Highway Patrol are encouraging Montanans to plan for sober rides before they start celebrating.

The Fourth of July is during what is known as the 100 Deadliest Days: the time period when the most traffic fatalities and crashes occur in Montana and across the country. To help keep drivers and communities safe, MHP and local law enforcement? will be increasing patrols across the state and making DUI arrests to ensure Montanans get home safely. MHP and the Montana Department of Transportation are committed to achieving Vision Zero by reducing fatalities and serious injuries on Montana’s roadways.

According to MHP, if drivers have a 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 paying up to $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

“Your right to celebrate ends when you put everyone else’s safety at risk,” said Havre Police Capt. Ryan Pearson. “Drinking and driving endangers your community and others who choose to celebrate responsibly. Before you start drinking, make a plan that uses sober drivers. Designate one of your friends as a sober driver, arrange for a rideshare service, cab, or public transportation, or call a friend or family member. If you see your friends have had too much to drink, look out for your community’s safety and get them a sober ride, too.”

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

• Montana has the highest fatality rate in the nation for the number of deaths caused by impaired drivers per vehicle mile traveled.

• 63% of all traffic fatalities in Montana are the result of impaired driving (2021).

• 1,268 people were killed in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver from 2012-2021.

“Planning for a sober ride ensures everyone celebrates the Fourth of July safely,” said Ryan Pearson, Captain, Havre Police Department. “Designating a sober driver and having a plan is a simple, responsible action that can keep our communities 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 Tammy Ross, Montana Department of Transportation, 406-444-9192 or [email protected].

Expect increased patrols in Havre over the holiday

• Local law enforcement and the Montana Highway Patrol are increasing their presence and patrols during the Fourth of July holiday

• Montana has the highest rate of alcohol-related traffic deaths in the U.S. with 8.57 alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes for every 100,000 licensed drivers

• To ensure the safety of our families, friends and communities across Montana, law enforcement encourages residents to make a plan to get a sober ride before they start drinking and celebrating the Fourth of July