By Cornelius Frolik
The Dayton Daily News
DAYTON, Ohio — July 4 is the deadliest day of the year for U.S. motorists and their passengers, because of the often hazardous combination of increased alcohol consumption, traffic volumes and trip lengths, officials said.
More than 700 people died nationwide as a result of automobile crashes that occurred on July 4 between 2006 and 2010, according to data reviewed by the Dayton Daily News.
During the same time frame, dozens of people in Ohio died in crashes that took place during the July 4 holiday weekends.
July 4 has been the most dangerous holiday weekend in the state in the last two years, and law enforcement officials said at least some of the deaths could have been avoided if motorists made better decisions.
Officials urge motorists this Independence Day holiday to obey speed limits, wear safety belts and avoid drinking and driving to prevent the occasion for celebration and cookouts from turning into a time of loss and tragedy.
“We know that the July 4th holiday in general can be one of the dangerous times of the year,” said Lt. Anne Ralston, a spokeswoman with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “As a result, law enforcement will be out in full force.”
About 703 people died nationwide between 2006 and 2010 in crashes that happened on July 4, according to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
No other day of the year had more than 645 deaths during that time frame.
In Ohio, 22 people died in crashes during the July 4 holiday weekend in 2011, and 17 people died the holiday weekend in 2010, according to state patrol data.
July 4 is typically the worst day of the year for traffic deaths because school is out, offices are closed, people are off work, and it is a very popular day for traveling and there are just more vehicles on the roads, said Russ Rader, insurance institute spokesman.
Travel increases during the summer months, and seven of the 10 deadliest days of the year for motorists fall between July 4 and Sept. 2, according to the institute.
July 4 is also a popular time for barbecues, cookouts, parties, concerts, family outings and outdoor gatherings.
“We know from the statistics that there is a greater proportion of fatally injured drivers who have a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher on the Fourth of July,” Rad-er said.
Independence Day revelry has ended in tragedy for some motorists in Ohio.
Between 2007 and 2011, about 73 people in Ohio died as a result of crashes that occurred during the July 4 holiday weekend, according to the most recent data from the state patrol.
Almost 45 percent of those deaths - or 32 - were alcohol related.
“Unfortunately, some people make bad decisions about getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or consuming drugs or a combination of them,” Ralston said.
Alcohol is a perennial factor in fatal crashes on holidays.
July 4 was the deadliest holiday in Ohio in 2011 and 2010, but Thanksgiving and Labor Day had higher death tolls between 2007 and 2009.
About 158 people died in crashes during those holiday weekends between 2007 and 2011, and more than one-third of those deaths were alcohol related.
Thanksgiving and Labor Day celebrations often include alcohol.
Other contributing factors in auto fatalities include speeding and motorists and passengers failing to wear their safety belts, officials said.
Ralston said she hopes drivers this Independence Day will make good, safe decisions, and drivers who make bad decisions are reported to law enforcement and arrested.
She urged motorists to contact police if they see drivers who are driving dangerously or who they suspect are intoxicated.
She said drivers can reduce the chance that they will be involved in a holiday wreck by following a few guidelines.
“Just be patient, plan ahead knowing there is extra traffic on the roadways, and be responsible regarding drinking alcohol and driving,” she said.
Copyright 2012 Dayton Newspapers, Inc.