News Release
U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-4814
VAN BUREN, Mo. - This Fourth of July, Ozark National Scenic Riverways is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Region 7 (NHTSA), and other local law enforcement to emphasize the importance of driving sober and saving lives on America’s roads by participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over impaired-driving awareness campaign.
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.
In 2019, NHTSA reported that drunk driving accounted for 10,142 motor vehicle traffic deaths – 198 over the Fourth of July holiday period alone (6 p.m. July 3 to 5:59 a.m. July 8). Sadly, many people think driving impaired is no big deal. Missouri alone accounted for 235 of the 2019 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.
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.
Available Video Footage: The following link includes video messages by NHTSA Acting Administrator Dr. Steven Cliff, NPS Chief Ranger Lena Pace, and law enforcement officials from Arkansas and Missouri, providing more information on the campaign. The link to the video message can be downloaded and used in news stories and social media messages: https://bit.ly/2021FourthofJuly
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
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.
Last updated: June 30, 2021