Avoid 4th of July Accidents With These Tips

Every Fourth of July, the night sky erupts in vibrant colors to celebrate the country’s birthday. Families and friends gather to cook up hot dogs and hamburgers while enjoying the summer sun. It’s no surprise that the Fourth of July is one of the biggest celebrations of the year!

To celebrate the holiday, we are providing helpful tips to keep you and your family safe and prevent 4th of July accidents, as well as road closures and event info if you are celebrating independence day in Santa Ana.

July 4th Driving Safety Tips

Drunk driving car accidents tend to spike on holidays, especially the Fourth of July. Here are some safety precautions to keep in mind when driving:

Do not drink and drive: Drunk driving is incredibly dangerous and completely preventable. Designate a sober driver, take public transportation, or use a ride-sharing service if you plan to drink alcohol.
Buckle up for safety: Always wear your seat belt and make sure your passengers do the same. Seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017.
Skip driving during peak hours: Typically, the weekend before July 4th sees the most traffic, as many people travel to their destinations during this time. The best time to travel is early in the morning or after 6 p.m.
Avoid distractions: Stay alert and free from distractions at all times, as people, children and animals may be walking around outdoors. That means NO TEXTING, and keep your music low. Fireworks can also be distracting, so if you want to look at them, pull over safely.
Secure children and pets: If you’re traveling with children or pets, make sure they are safe and secure in the backseat. Pets should be kept in a crate secured by straps or bungee cords.
Slow down: Speeding is a factor in a third of all traffic fatalities in California. Obey the speed limit or go below if there is a lot of traffic. Pay close attention to cyclists and pedestrians who may be using the road.

Santa Ana July 4th Road Closures

Motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists should be aware of the following road closures and events from June 29 to July 5, 2023. Drivers should proceed with caution around these areas:

S. Bristol Street has fewer lanes before Warner Avenue because of construction. This will last all day and night until Friday June 30.
On Friday, June 30, Movies in the Park will be held at El Salvador Park from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m.
On Saturday, July 1, eastbound Warner Ave. will have fewer lanes between Birch and Main streets because of paving. This will last from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
On Saturday, July 1, the following areas of Santa Ana will be holding events:
- Plaza Calle Cuatro from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
- Delhi Park from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Downtown Santa Ana, including Sycamore between 2nd and 3rd streets, from 5 to 10:00 p.m.

On Sunday, July 2: Shop at the sidewalk sales in Downtown Santa Ana from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
On Sunday, July 2: Plaza Calle Cuatro from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
On Monday, July 3: Madison Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
On Tuesday July 4: the Fourth of July Celebration will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Centennial Park

Fireworks Safety

Emblematic of independence day, fireworks are fun to watch, but dangerous to handle. Thousands of people, mostly children, teens, and young adults, are injured each year while lighting fireworks because they are not aware of the risks involved. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 10,000 people suffered from fireworks-related injuries in 2022, and 11 people died from firework-related incidents. In addition to injuries, fireworks also cause over 19,000 fires every year.

Follow these precautions if you plan to operate fireworks:

Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks or sparklers
Light fireworks one at a time, then step away quickly
Do not point or throw fireworks at people or pets
Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
Do not try to handle or re-light malfunctioning fireworks
Keep a portable fire extinguisher and a bucket of water or garden hose handy
Soak unused fireworks in water before discarding

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch professional firework displays.

What to Do in Santa Ana for the 4th of July

The Santa Ana 4th of July Celebration is an annual tradition held at the city’s Centennial Park. The event draws locals and visitors alike for its patriotic cheer and fun, free events.

Fourth of July Celebration

Centennial Park, a 69.50-acre park at the intersection of Edinger Ave. and Fairview St., hosts Santa Ana’s annual Fourth of July Celebration. The free event includes live music, kid’s activities, food trucks, a beer garden, raffles, exhibitors, and a dazzling 20-minute fireworks show starting at 9 p.m.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and arrive early to secure a spot. Dogs are allowed only on leashes, while alcohol is not allowed. On-site parking is free.

Where: Centennial Regional Park 3000 W. Edinger Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92704.

When: Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Santa Ana Zoo

For a fun family outing, pay a visit to the Santa Ana Zoo. Known for its South and Central American animals, monkeys, and primate conservation, this small zoo is perfect for young children.

Where: Santa Ana Zoo 1801 East Chestnut Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92701

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4th Street Market

Not cooking for the 4th? Head over to 4th Street Market, an innovative food hall with 15 stalls serving delicious cuisine. Sample Mexican, Hawaiian, crepes, bubble tea, Thai, burgers, and more!

Where: 4th Street Market 201 East 4th Street Santa Ana, CA 92701

Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Check food vendor pages for individual hours.

Discovery Cube OC

This dynamic children’s museum offers interactive STEM exhibits that are fun for adults and kids. Beat the heat at the Physics Lab, the Bed of Nails, the Science of Hockey, the Rocket Launch, and many more hands-on rooms.

Where: Discovery Cube Orange County 2500 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92705

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

July 4th Accident Statistics

Drunk driving accidents are a major concern over the 4th of July weekend. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1,460 drivers died in motor vehicle accidents over the Fourth of July holiday period from 2017 to 2021. Of those fatalities, 38% of the drivers killed were drunk.

Additionally, the National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 619 people may be killed in the U.S. on Independence Day 2023. Do not become a statistic. Remember, even buzzed driving is drunk driving.

Riverview Accident Lawyers

From all of us at Riverview Accident Lawyers, we wish you a happy and safe 4th of July! If you need legal advice or have questions regarding a personal injury case, our personal injury attorneys are always available to talk. Do not hesitate to contact us at (657)662-8033 or by email at team@santaanaaccidentlaw.com.