Making Sure You Have a Safe 4th of July Weekend

The 4th of July is one of the most American of holidays, which most often includes drinking. Make sure you stay safe. Don't drink and drive.

According to AAA, 79% of Southern Californians are expected to drive this weekend, so if you are driving, make sure you are sober. It will be a hot weekend in Los Angeles so the effects of alcohol will be escalated. Do your best to remain hydrated and not with alcohol!

The California Highway Patrol will begin a maximum enforcement period beginning at 6:01 p.m. today, deploying all available officers onto freeways and county roads in an effort to combat drunken driving. The maximum enforcement period will continue through 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Below is a list of upcoming DUI Checkpoints for the 4th of July weekend.

July 3, 2014
Los Angeles, Vermont Avenue and 5th Street - 8:00 pm - 2:00 am

July 4, 2014
There will be roving saturation patrols on all streets and freeways

July 5, 2015
Hollywood, Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Avenue - 8:00 pm - 2:00 am
Los Angeles, Figueroa Street and 9th Street - 8:00 pm - 2:00 am
North Hollywood, Oxnard Street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard - 8:00 pm - 2:00 am

If you end up entering a DUI Checkpoint find out "What is the Safest Way to Exit a DUI Checkpoint?"

Check back frequently for updates on this page.

This 4th of July, Don’t Try to Stay Hydrated by Drinking Beer

This 4th of July, just like most years in Southern California, it’s expected to be a hot one. When you are at the beach, or by the pool having drinks, remember that it is very important to stay hydrated. When your body is dehydrated, alcohol affects your mental and physical abilities quicker and more intensely. When alcohol enters your blood stream, it goes immediately to the organs that have the most fluid. Your brain and muscles are the quickest to be affected when your body is dehydrated because those are the organs with the most fluid. When your body is hydrated, the alcohol can disperse more equally throughout your entire body.

Also, blood alcohol concentration readings may be higher as a result of dehydration. The lungs are one of the organs with the most fluid, and will have higher concentrations of alcohol when you are dehydrated. This means breathalyzer results will show a higher BAC (blood alcohol concentration) level than you would have if hydrated.

Contrary to popular belief, consuming alcohol is not a good way to stay hydrated. Even though beer has a very low percentage of alcohol, it still causes impairment. The best way to stay hydrated while having drinks, is to drink plenty of water. Water is still the best way to stay hydrated on a hot summer day. So remember to stay safe this 4th of July, and make sure your liquid diet includes lots of water.