Officials: Don’t Boat Or Drive Intoxicated & Don’t Blow Yourself Up Over Holiday Weekend

In a series of press conferences and statements leading up to the Fourth of July weekend, authorities had a few basic messages: don’t operate a boat or vehicle while intoxicated and be careful when using fireworks.

While those things might seem simple, state officials laid out data to show those incidents happen in the Keystone state.

PennDOT officials, Pennsylvania State Police troopers, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources rangers, and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission conservation officers gathered earlier this week to urge “safe and responsible celebration.”

“Independence Day is a time for celebration, but before heading out to these celebrations we urge Pennsylvanians to keep safety in mind,” PennDOT Acting Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration Mike Keiser said. “If your celebration includes alcohol, plan ahead by designating a sober driver or arranging for alternate transportation. Never drive impaired.”

PennDOT data showed there were 184 alcohol-related crashes and 10 related deaths from Friday, July 2 through Monday, July 5 in 2021.

State police who patrol Lower Bucks County told LevittownNow.com troopers will have increased enforcement of intoxicated and aggressive drivers starting Friday and running through Tuesday.

“Pennsylvania State Police and its local law enforcement partners have zero tolerance toward impaired, aggressive and distracted driving, as well as speeding,” said state police Commissioner Colonel Robert Evanchick. “Wherever you travel this holiday weekend, please slow down, buckle up, and drive safely.”

With the Delaware River running through the area and several nearby lakes, boaters will be out enjoying the summer weather.

“Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, and reaction time on the water and boating under the influence puts everyone at risk, including passengers and others enjoying the water,” Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Tim Schaeffer said.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will have conservation officers on the water during the holiday weekend as part of Operation Dry Water, a nationally-organized effort to conduct enhanced BUI enforcement.

In 2021, there were 49 boating-under-the-influence arrests by conservation officers.

It isn’t uncommon to see Pennsylvania authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, and New Jersey State Police patrolling the Delaware River in the area for trouble.

“Our goal is for boaters to have a safe and enjoyable time on the water. This begins with safe boating practices that include wearing a life jacket each and every time they’re on a boat, and not drinking while boating,” Schaeffer said.

Pennsylvania Acting State Fire Commissioner Charles McGarvey and the Burn Prevention Network pressed residents to celebrate safety this weekend.

“Our message today is clear: fireworks are not toys,” said McGarvey. “While dangerous, we acknowledge that these devices have a lengthy shared history with our nation’s Independence Day celebrations. First and foremost, we want people to understand the risks, how to properly handle fireworks and to encourage users to be courteous to their neighbors and communities.”

Fireworks, while often fun, have become a problem in the Levittown area when they are used in excess. Residents have complained about almost non-stop use over holiday weekends in the area since the state’s fireworks laws were relaxed in the later years of the last decade.

Under state law, Pennsylvanians who are at least 18 years old may purchase and use Class C, otherwise known as consumer-grade, fireworks. Certain restrictions apply, including:

• They cannot be ignited or discharged on public or private property without the express permission of the property owner.
• They cannot be discharged from within a motor vehicle or building.
• They cannot be discharged toward a motor vehicle or building.
• They cannot be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure, whether or not a person is actually present.
• They cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or another drug.

Middletown Township officials reminded locals in a social media post to follow the fireworks laws.

Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association showed fireworks are to blame for more than 19,500 fires per year and cause $105 million in direct property damage.

Last year, a man in his 40s had an M-80 firecracker go off in his hand on July 4th at the Penn Warner Club in Falls Township. He had to be hospitalized.

The acting state fire commissioner gave the following suggestions for fireworks safety:

• Never allow children to play with fireworks, even sparklers, which can burn at temperatures of at least 1200 degrees.
• Only allow adults to light fireworks one at a time, then quickly back away.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or garden hose handy in case of a fire.
• Never pick up or try to relight fireworks that have not fully ignited.
• After the fireworks have burned, fully douse them with water before picking them up or disposing to prevent trash fires.
• Never use fireworks after consuming alcohol, or other medications or substances that can impair judgment or the ability to react quickly to an emergency.
• Whether attending a professional display, or using consumer fireworks, always remain at a safe distance from the ignition location.
• Be sensitive of neighbors and their pets, particularly if military veterans live nearby.

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