The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is using the Fourth of July holiday period to reinforce a simple message, Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. The campaign, running from June 29 to July 5, 2026, encourages people celebrating Independence Day to plan ahead, avoid driving after drinking, and make sure they have a safe, sober way home.

The message is tied to one of the most dangerous periods on U.S. roads. According to NHTSA, 579 people were killed in traffic crashes during the Fourth of July holiday period in 2024 alone. From 2020 to 2024, there were 2,719 total traffic fatalities during this holiday period, including 1,724 driver fatalities. Of those drivers killed, 38% were drunk, and the 21 to 34 age group had the highest percentage of drunk drivers.

NHTSA’s campaign materials stress that impaired driving is not only illegal, it is preventable. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability, and waiting until after drinking to decide how to get home is already too late. The campaign encourages people to designate a sober driver before drinking, use a taxi or rideshare, call a sober friend, or take responsibility for helping someone else avoid driving impaired.

To support local traffic safety communication, NHTSA has prepared a full set of Fourth of July resources, including talking points, sample news releases, message board text, social media posts and graphics in English and Spanish. The campaign also gives local partners clear, practical messages to adapt for their own communities, from “Drive Sober July 4th and Every Day” to “America Loves Sober Drivers.” The core message remains direct and universal, celebration should never come at the cost of lives on the road.

Find more from NHTSA (USA, June 2026)