Celebrate your independence

Printer Friendly

GEICO offers reminders to help stay safe on the road for 4th of July

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 2009 – Fourth of July is a time for festivities with friends and family, but it is also one of the deadliest driving holidays of the year. The roads will be packed and distractions can be found around every corner.

GEICO offers the following reminder so you and your family have a better chance of arriving home safely.

  • Use your cell phone for emergency situations only and never text message while driving.
  • If you are drowsy, pull off the road.
  • Do your multi-tasking while outside the car.
  • Always designate a non-drinking driver if you'll be on the road for holiday celebrations.
  • If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely. 
  • In the Washington Metro area, GEICO works with the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) as a sponsor of SoberRide, which provides free cab rides as an alternative to drunk driving. People needing a ride can call 1-800-200-TAXI. For more information go to www.wrap.org.
  • If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement.

In 2007*, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 200 traffic-related fatalities occurred on the Fourth of July holiday, with 44 percent of them involving a driver or a motorcycle rider above the legal alcohol limit.

Drinking and driving is one of America's deadliest problems. In 2007 there were 12,998 people killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider above the legal blood alcohol concentration, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

So after a day filled with barbeques, fireworks and friends, remember to stay focused on the road and never drink and drive.

*2007 – latest available statistics

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States.* GEICO handles auto insurance coverage for 11 million private passenger auto policies and insures more than 17.5 million vehicles.

In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers customers insurance products for their motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), travel trailers and motor homes (RVs). Coverage for life, boats, homes and apartments is available through the GEICO Insurance Agency. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.

As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company and ranks at the top of several national customer satisfaction surveys. For more information, go to http://www.geico.com.

*A.M. Best

Contact Us

By Email By Phone By Mail
Add This