BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – In Texas last year, the 4th of July holiday travel weekend resulted in more than 50 fatal crashes, leading to 64 deaths.
Mary Jo Prince with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Watch UR BAC program is encouraging everyone to stay safe this holiday week.
Texas A&M extension launches ‘Watch UR BAC’ campaign teaching new drivers about dangers, distractions
“Because of the increased travel, the risks are going to be going to be higher,” she warned. “Record setting levels of people out there on the road. We just want everybody to drive safely, drive soundly, buckle up. Because the number one way to save lives in the event of a crash is to make sure you have your seat belts.”
Prince told KBTX other tips include planning ahead and arriving early, so you don’t feel the need to speed.
AAA expects a record-setting 61.2 million people to travel by car for the holiday
“The best thing you could do is drive the speed limits, because there’s going to be a lot of cars out there that have the same intentions of wanting to get somewhere in a hurry,” said Prince. “We don’t want the 4th of July week and celebration weekend to turn into a 4th of July tragic memory for some on the road.”
Watch UR BAC stands for Watch your Blood Alcohol Concentration, and the program helps teach and provides programs primarily on alcohol and drug awareness education.
“No better holiday weekend than to focus on that,” she added. “We want people to remember to make a plan. There’s so many options now: Uber, Lyft, and trusted friends. Or just stay where you are, and that’s one of our Watch UR BAC message is you don’t get a second chance to undo some mistakes that we wish we had not made.”
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