News Release

Drive sober to “Beat the Heat” this holiday weekend

News Release Date: June 28, 2023

Contact: e-mail us, [phone]

VAN BUREN, Mo:  This Fourth of July weekend, Ozark National Scenic Riverways is partnering with local law enforcement agencies to emphasize the importance of driving sober and saving lives on America’s roads. 

We are eager to support the community’s dedication to protecting the lives of local residents and visitors from other areas, so you’ll see an increased presence of officers working together in and around the park during this holiday weekend to take impaired drivers off the roads. These expanded efforts to protect against impaired driving will be conducted in a fair and equitable way. You can “Beat the Heat” by making a commitment to sober driving. 

In 2021, NHTSA reported that drunk driving accounted for 13,384 motor vehicle traffic deaths. From 2017 to 2021, there were 1,460 drivers killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the Fourth of July holiday period — 38% of the drivers killed were drunk. Sadly, many people think driving impaired is no big deal. Missouri alone accounted for 240 of the 2021 total fatalities, further emphasizing that under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking. Doing so endangers you, passengers, and everyone on the road with you.  

Impaired driving can be caused by substances other than alcohol. Though Missouri has legalized marijuana for recreational use, it is still illegal to use it on federal lands, including national parks like Ozark National Scenic Riverways.  Driving while impaired by marijuana is illegal everywhere.  

While national parks are glad to see an uptick in visitors enjoying the great outdoors, we want to remind everyone when visiting that driving under the influence of any substance is a deadly combination. If you plan on coming to the park for the holiday, be sure to celebrate safely. We are urging drivers to designate a sober driver to and from the park before heading out for the day.  

“We want our communities and visitors to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday whether they are traveling the roadways or exploring the park, but we also want responsible drivers,” said Superintendent Jason Lott.  “We want to remind everyone that driving under the influence is deadly and illegal in every state across the country. We want our community to stay safe, so make no mistake: If you are caught, you will be pulled over and arrested.” 

It’s important for everyone to understand that federal law prohibits any open alcohol containers in a motor vehicle, to include use by passengers, and that UTVs are also motor vehicles. A simple rule is to keep alcohol stowed away, out of reach, until arriving at your final destination – including taking a trip to national parks. 

This Fourth of July, commit to only driving 100% sober. Don’t lose your independence on Independence Day, and don’t be a deadly risk to yourself and other innocent people. If you are out on the roads and see an impaired driver, contact local law enforcement. Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov.  

nps.gov/ozar  

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves 134 miles of the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.  Learn more at www.nps.gov/ozar.  Find us on Facebook @ozarkriverways and on Instagram @ozarkriverwaysnps.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.