Can you believe it is July already? In just three short days we will be celebrating America’s 250th Birthday! I had a chance to connect with some of our local law enforcement agents and I thought it would be a great benefit to share “How to have a safe and memorable holiday weekend,” so for today and tomorrow please listen up and let’s have the safest, best Holiday weekend in 250 Years!!!
As thousands of Minnesotans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, law enforcement agencies across southwest Minnesota are reminding everyone to make safety their top priority.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holiday travel periods of the year. Between 2020 and 2024, 36 people lost their lives on Minnesota roads during the holiday weekend. Nearly half of those deaths, 17, were alcohol-related.
The Fourth of July also falls during Minnesota’s “100 Deadliest Days,” the busy summer travel season between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when more vehicles are on the roads and serious crashes tend to increase. Because of those numbers, drivers can expect increased traffic enforcement throughout the holiday weekend.
Cottonwood County Sheriff Jason Purrington says motorists should plan for heavier traffic as people travel to celebrations and family gatherings. He encourages drivers to obey the speed limit, put away distractions, buckle up and never drive impaired. Sheriff Purrington says if alcohol is part of your Fourth of July plans, make arrangements for a sober ride home before the celebration begins. He reminds drivers that a DWI conviction can lead to the loss of driving privileges for up to a year, thousands of dollars in fines and fees, and possible jail time.
Jackson County Sheriff Shawn Haken shares a similar message. He says, “The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate. Don’t let one impaired decision turn a holiday into a lifelong tragedy. Society expects you to have a plan, find a ride, and get home safely.”
The message doesn’t stop at the highways.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and its law enforcement partners will be conducting Operation Dry Water July 3rd through the 5th. The nationwide campaign targets boating while intoxicated and is designed to keep Minnesota’s lakes and rivers safe during one of the busiest boating weekends of the year.
According to the DNR, boating while intoxicated remains the leading contributing factor in boating accidents and fatalities. Conservation officers will be actively patrolling waterways throughout the holiday weekend. Lieutenant Eric Sullivan of the DNR Enforcement Division says, “People who get caught boating under the influence will go to jail. We have zero tolerance for that behavior. Those who choose to boat under the influence put themselves and everyone else on the water in danger. It’s a selfish decision, and the consequences can be disastrous and life changing.”
The DNR also reminds boaters that Minnesota has some of the nation’s toughest boating while intoxicated laws. A conviction can result in losing the privilege to operate a boat, motor vehicle, or recreational vehicle. Officers are also encouraging everyone on the water to wear a life jacket, noting that many boating fatalities occur when someone falls overboard without one.
Windom Police Chief Scott Peterson says the Windom Police Department will also be participating in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Fourth of July traffic enforcement campaign through the “Toward Zero Deaths” program. His message is simple: if you’re going out for drinks, choose a designated driver before you leave home.
Whether you’re traveling by car or spending the weekend on the lake, law enforcement officials agree that the best way to celebrate America’s birthday is to make smart decisions, celebrate responsibly, and make sure everyone gets home safely.