Drive sober with no regrets this 4th of July

Prevention Specialist, The Coalition Inc.

As East Texans make plans for Independence Day celebrations, it’s important to include a sober driver in those plans. Each year, the Fourth of July holiday stands out as one of the deadliest times on Texas roads. In fact, one person in Texas dies every 8 hours and 11 minutes in alcohol-related traffic crashes. These deaths are 100% preventable.

The Drug-Free Council (DFC) initiative of Polk County, funded by the Texas Department of Transportation, aims to reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes in East Texas and across the state. Campusbased DFC clubs were formed at Corrigan-Camden High School and Livingston High School this past school year, with plans to add another Polk County DFC club during the upcoming school year. DFC members learn about the dangerous consequences of substance use and work within their campus and community to educate others about the harmful effects of alcohol and the dangers of driving under the influence.

Drinking and driving can have serious physical, emotional and financial consequences that last for years. Most importantly, the human toll of an alcohol-involved crash can devastate the lives of victims and survivors forever. This 4th of July, Drug-Free Council members are joining TxDOT in the “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” campaign. Even one drink can cause impairment for drivers, so plan ahead if your 4th of July celebration involves alcohol. Make the choice not to drink or designate a sober driver for the ride home. Avoid the regrets of alcoholimpaired driving.

Since 1988, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes and behaviors, in order to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. For more information about the Drug-Free Council program, contact J.P. Heath, Prevention Specialist, at jpheath@angelinacoalition. org or 936-634-9308.