The Deadliest Day of the Year

The 4th of July is this coming Monday, meaning an abundance of pool parties, beach trips, barbeques… and booze. Yes booze. As per what seems to be the new norm, holidays and alcohol abuse have forged a tight bond, where there is a holiday there will be booze. From sipping a beer at your backyard barbeque or family gathering to intense games of “flip cup” and “beer pong”, and everywhere in between, alcohol abuse has become a major part of holidays. I’m sure you’ve all heard it over and over again, binge drinking is bad, it has numerous negative consequences; it can even kill you. However, the fact still remains that more and more people are binge drinking, and more so during holidays.

For some, the 4th of July weekend festivities have already begun, and for others they will begin as soon as that clock hits 5 pm. Ideally this Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be spent enjoying the long weekend with friends, families, significant others.
What most don’t realize is that July 4th is in fact, considered to be the deadliest day of the year. Between 2000 and 2009, more people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents on July 4th than any other day of the year; where 40 percent of July 4th fatalities involved a driver with a blood alcohol content over the legal limit of 0.08 or higher. The statistics unfortunately show that deaths related to alcohol abuse keep climbing regardless of police presence and checkpoints that have increased in a campaign to combat alcohol abuse and drunk driving over the holiday.

It’s not just drinking and driving that we have to worry about. According to a new study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, hospital emergency department visits involving underage drinking double for males during the 4th of July holiday weekend. The report calculated that during July 3-5, 2009, there was a daily average of 942 emergency department visits related to alcohol use by people under the age of 21. In the words of SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, “This study sheds light on the grim truth that holidays are too often marked by a surge in underage drinking-turning what should be a time of celebration into a time of tragedy.”

As we all go about our celebrations this weekend, try to stay aware of possible dangers that could get someone hurt or killed; and don’t forget to have a blast! Happy 4th of July everyone!

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