In and Around Philadelphia, Holiday Weekend Warnings About DUI
By Mike Dougherty
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Fourth of July is a time for celebration. For many, the festivities include tossing back a few cold ones.
Today, with July 4th just a few days away, law enforcement officials were reminding everyone to party responsibly, and warning that there will be DUI checkpoints this weekend throughout the region to keep roads as safe as possible.
Officials are warning people not to drink and drive, on the roads or on the water. US Coast Guard lieutenant Nick Woessner says they will be looking for drunk boaters.
"If you are responsible for that vessel, you should not be drinking -- at all. Your friends can drink, that's fine," he advised.
Capt. John Wilcyznski, with the Philadelphia Police Department's accident investigation division (AID) says there will also be increased DUI checkpoints on the roads this weekend.
"We'll just say it over and over again. We have to be proactive and put it out there, and remind everybody, just don't drive impaired," he said, adding there will be random checkpoints all summer long.
And he also stresses the danger of texting while driving, which can be just as dangerous as drugs or alcohol for drivers and their passengers.