Florida Highway Patrol: Arrive Alive this Independence Day

TALLAHASSEE — The Fourth of July is considered one of the busiest travel holidays of the year. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles urges everyone to use caution when traveling on Florida roads this weekend for a safe and enjoyable Independence Day. The DHSMV urges motorists to make sure their vehicle is road-ready. Buckle up and never drive impaired.

The DHSMV offers the following driving safety tips for this year’s Fourth of July weekend:

•         Always buckle up. A seatbelt is a vehicle’s most important safety feature.

•         Designate a sober driver and never drive impaired. Even one drink increases the risk of a crash while driving. Do not let anyone who has been drinking get behind the wheel.

•         Check the tires before taking a trip. Properly maintaining and inspecting tires before a long trip is a key step in keeping the family safe while traveling. Motorists should check to ensure their vehicle has proper tire pressure and inspect tire tread before driving to avoid potentially fatal tire failure and rollover crashes.

•         Stay focused on driving and do not drive distracted. Distracted driving is extremely risky behavior and focused attention on driving helps to prevent crashes.

•         Travelers should use caution when traveling through an area with low visibility, especially at night.

•         Call *FHP (*347) to report drunk drivers, traffic crashes, stranded or disabled motorists, or suspicious incidents on the road.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida Highway Patrol: Arrive Alive this Independence Day