Experts: Alcohol-Related Dangers Are Biggest Holiday Threat

By Amy Hunter
Reporter / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: July 3, 2008

Fireworks aren’t the biggest safety hazard during the Fourth of July holiday anymore – and they haven’t been for years.

The main danger this upcoming weekend, authorities say, will be on the roads.

“I’ve been doing this for more than 30 years. You don’t see that many fireworks injuries anymore,” said Dr. Robert Lawson, an emergency room doctor at Bristol Regional Medical Center. “Mostly, it’s drinking too much – car wrecks, falling down, boating and fights.”

Lawson said most of the people who come into the ER over the holiday period, which runs from Friday through Sunday, will likely be treated for alcohol-related injuries. And his observations were echoed by local law enforcement officers, who said their major preventive measures this weekend will involve policing the roads.

“Our biggest concern is traffic safety,” said Bristol Tennessee Police Capt. Matt Austin.

As throngs of people head downtown on Saturday for the morning parade and to Bristol Motor Speedway for evening fireworks, Austin said drivers need to take extra caution on the roads. Not only should they allow ample time to “get where they’re going,” but they should also drive defensively and never get behind the wheel intoxicated, he said.

Austin said his department will increase patrols on Saturday, directing traffic and working crowd control. He also said the department traditionally receives an influx of calls regarding certain accidents – namely those involving alcohol.

“We get an increase in domestic calls, too. Along with the holidays, there are always more people getting together and sometimes that can lead to more calls,” he said.

Bristol Virginia Police Capt. Maynard Ratcliff voiced similar concerns this week when discussing the upcoming holiday. His department also will increase the number of patrol cars on the streets and he said he expects they will be busy responding to plenty of calls.

“We’ll have extra patrols going on with the party atmosphere. I’m sure we’ll get lots of calls,” he said.

The police captains said fireworks are illegal inside both Bristol city limits and they cautioned those using fireworks outside the Twin City to be careful.

Lawson went a step further, suggesting that folks attend the large fireworks displays rather than handle the fiery festivities themselves.

Ratcliff summed up the safety precautions he advises local residents to take this Independence Day.

“Drive safely, defensively and don’t drink and drive,” he said. “And if you’re doing fireworks yourself – be safe with them.”

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