“Don’t make poor decisions” — SCHP and SCDNR stress sober driving during 4th of July holiday

IRMO, SC (WOLO) — With the 4th of July holiday approaching, local law enforcement agencies are reminding folks across the Midlands to stay safe — and drive sober.

Members of the SC Highway Patrol and the SC Department of Natural Resources are coming together with one mission in mind — preventing accidents and deaths during the holiday.

Joey Santiago is a Game Warden for Richland County.

He says remember that the legal limit to drive a boat or vehicle with alcohol in your system is .08.

And you can get a DUI driving a boat just like you can driving your car.

“We have a standardized seated field sobriety that we run you through. It’s not a pass or fail test. It’s based on clues that we see that show that you are impaired whether that’s drugs or alcohol,” he says.

The use of jet skis are illegal between sunset and sunrise due to lack of visibility.

And courtesy boat checks are available. Just visit SCDNR’s website here for locations.

“You can bring your boat, we have officers there to inspect the vessel and make sure you have all your proper equipment… You need your fire extinguisher. Your horn or whistle. Any sound device on board. You also need a life jacket for everybody on board. If you end up picking somebody up and you’re short a life jacket, that can be a citation,” he says.

Trooper David Jones says they’ll be on the lookout for drunk drivers leaving the lake as well.

“As DNR patrols our waterways, we’re gonna be patrolling the highways around these waterways. So if you go out and have a good time on the lake, make sure you have a safe ride home. Because I can promise you we’re gonna be out in full force, and if you make that poor decision we’re gonna put you in jail,” Jones says.

Santiago and Jones say they know everyone, especially young people, want to have fun and let loose for the holiday, but don’t make poor decisions.

“And those poor decisions are drinking and driving, speeding, not buckling up, driving distracted. So it’s our mission to go out and protect lives, and have zero fatalities on the roadway during the holiday period. So we need the public’s help to combat some of these issues. If you go out this holiday, make sure you get a sober driver. If you go out, make sure you limit distractions. Make sure you buckle up. Make sure you slow down. Cause I can promise you every trooper in SC is gonna be on our highways. We’re gonna be looking for people who make these poor decisions,” says Jones.