Oklahoma Highway Patrol Warns Against Impaired Driving During Independence Day Celebrations

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is keeping a close eye on impaired drivers this Independence Day weekend. OHP said you're sharing the roadway over the weekend with more drivers and more troopers than normal.

People want to enjoy themselves on the Fourth of July, but anyone can be one decision away from turning a day of celebration into a day of regret.

"It's not about punishment as much as it is about making sure people are safe and caring for people," OHP Trooper Eric Foster said.

Foster said some highway patrol troopers are specifically tasked with looking for signs of intoxication.

"It is slowly becoming more about prescription medication and about legal substances, as well," Foster said.

The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office selected sobriety checkpoint locations based on where certain arrests are made and where crashes tend to happen. There will be notification signs ahead of the checkpoints and cones directing traffic into different lanes.

"It's very brief in nature," Foster said. "The Supreme Court has told us what we can and can't do on those things."

Foster said Troopers are looking for signs of intoxication such as an odor or slurred speech. During the 78-hour Independence Day holiday in 2020, OHP said there were 506 crashes.

More than 7% were alcohol and drug related. Five of the wrecks were fatal and four of those involved impaired driving.

"Some of the worst collisions that I've worked have been the Fourth of July holiday and it's due to intoxicated driving," Foster said.

Foster recommends riding with a sober friend or using one of the many rideshare apps.

"We don't want to have to go knock on a family's door and let them know that you're not coming home on a great holiday, one of joy and celebration," Foster said.

Foster is also asking drivers to avoid pulling over and parking on the side of the interstate to watch firework shows.