Philadelphia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has teamed up with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), SEPTA, the City of Philadelphia, and the Bike Coalition of Greater Philadelphia to promote safe travel in the Philadelphia region during the Independence Day holiday. This event took place at the USCG facility in Philadelphia.
“I’m pleased to join my colleagues in urging everyone in our region to make safety a top priority this Independence Day weekend and all summer long,” said PennDOT District 6 Executive Din Abazi. “Wherever your summer travel takes you, make sure to prioritize safety first. Whether you’re hitting the road, navigating the water, walking, or enjoying a bike ride, let safety be your top priority."
The public is reminded that the legal limit for operating any motor vehicle or watercraft, whether powered or unpowered, is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent. Additionally, boaters should remember to wear life jackets, create a float plan to inform someone of their boating itinerary, check the weather forecast to avoid summer storms, and designate a sober individual as the boat’s operator.
USCG Lieutenant Tyric Burge reminds everyone that one drink can alter the course of your day and impact someone else’s life. Designate a sober captain before leaving the dock.
“As we head into a jam-packed summer in Philadelphia, we want people to ensure they get home safe,” said City of Philadelphia Vision Zero Manager Marco Gorini. “We’re fortunate to live in a city where people have the option to walk, ride a bike, take public transit, or drive. No matter how you choose to celebrate, make the safe choice on your ride home -- including planning for a designated driver, taking SEPTA, rideshare, or staying sober."
According to 2025 PennDOT data, there were 1,082 crashes resulting in 19 fatalities in the Philadelphia region during the Fourth of July travel period, which began on Saturday, June 21, and ended on Saturday, July 5. Among those, 91 crashes were related to impaired driving.
It is important never to drive while impaired. If you notice someone who is impaired, take their keys to prevent them from getting behind the wheel. You can also opt for a designated sober driver or use a rideshare app. Motorists should always adhere to the posted speed limits, avoid distractions while driving, and ensure that all passengers are wearing seat belts.
Alcohol and drug use can impair a person's judgment and reaction time. Impaired drivers, whether behind the wheel of a car or a boat, endanger themselves, their passengers, and others on the road and waterways.
“As Philadelphians gather to celebrate our nation’s independence, let’s also honor our shared responsibility to one another. Every cyclist, driver, and pedestrian deserves to arrive home safely. This Fourth of July, slow down, stay alert, and remember that the greatest freedom we can protect is the opportunity for every member of our community to enjoy the holiday and return home safely,” said Bike Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Executive Director Lana Harshaw.
“We want everyone to enjoy their summer and all the planned celebrations throughout the city and beyond, but we also want them to celebrate responsibly,” said SEPTA Deputy Police Chief James Zuggi. “An easy way to prevent impaired driving and stay safe is to make a plan beforehand and use SEPTA to get to and from your festivities.”
To learn more about PennDOT's highway safety efforts, visit www.pa.gov/dotsafety.
PennDOT’s media resources web page offers social media-sized graphics for numerous transportation-related campaigns, including safety topics such as aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving, and seat belts, for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.
Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT: Krys Johnson, krysjohnso@pa.gov
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