HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – June 29, 2022, Hollister Police Department reminds drivers to plan ahead and celebrate the holiday safely and responsibly.
This weekend and through Monday, July 4, the Hollister Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers and motorcycle riders for violations and those suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
In 2020, nearly 500 people were killed in crashes throughout the country during the Fourth of July weekend. Of those deadly crashes, 41% involved alcohol. According to AAA Southern California, more than five million Californians will travel over the 4th of July holiday.
While some festivities may include alcohol, driving under the influence also includes impairment from prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana. Do your research and be informed about how certain drugs may affect your driving ability.
To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:
Drivers
• Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots.
• Use your signal when changing lanes.
• Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.
• When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning.
Motorcyclists
• Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear.
• Consider adding reflective tape to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
• Always keep your lights on, even during the day.
• Don’t assume drivers see you: signal in advance when changing lanes, watch for turning vehicles.
• Although lane splitting is legal, it is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic.
If you are hosting friends and family for barbecues and watching fireworks shows, offer nonalcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor who is drinking. If you see people leaving who have been drinking, offer to have them stay the night or make arrangements for them to take a sober ride home.
If you see someone who appears impaired or driving recklessly, call 9-1-1.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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Prepared by: E. Olson, Captain
Approved by: C. Reynoso, Chief
