Fourth of July Safety Tips for a Fun & Festive Holiday

The Fourth of July is one of the most festive summer holidays in Texas, with locals and visitors alike enjoying everything from cookouts and barbecue to fireworks displays, days on the lake, and so much more.

However, in the midst of this festive atmosphere, the Fourth of July is also unfortunately one of the deadliest holidays of the year, and the decisions you make before the celebration starts are what keep everyone safe.

July 4th Ranks Among the Deadliest Days of the Year

Data from both the NHTSA and the TxDOT consistently places July 4th among the most dangerous days of the year for traffic deaths, with alcohol playing a larger role in Fourth of July crashes than on any other major holiday. The Texas Department of Transportation reported 116 alcohol-related crashes in 2025.

With summer picnics, cookouts, and gatherings all being popular pastimes for celebrating Independence Day, it’s not uncommon to also partake in some adult beverages.

After fireworks shows end, late-night surges are when these impaired drivers are most active and you face the highest risk. Beyond drunk driving, distracted driving also spikes on major holidays.

The most effective safety step on the Fourth costs nothing: decide how you are getting home before the celebration starts.

Plan Your Ride Before the First Drink

The concentration of impaired drivers peaks between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Per TxDOT, 52% of alcohol-fueled DUI crashes and 55% of all fatal crashes over the Fourth of July weekend in 2025 occurred during this period. The majority of these crashes occurred during the peak hour of 2 a.m. on July 5th.

The weekend (Friday through Sunday) accounts for the vast majority of accidents, with Saturday typically being the most dangerous. Because the Fourth falls on a Saturday this year, plan your travel accordingly. For some, that might mean leaving the party before midnight or waiting until early morning when traffic has thinned. For others, it might mean booking a rideshare or taxi in advance or having a designated driver.

Create your travel plan early, when everyone is still sober and the plan is easier to keep. If no one in your group is staying sober, book a rideshare service before the fireworks end. Uber and Lyft see surge pricing and shorter driver availability on major holidays, so plan ahead rather than waiting for last call.

Be Safe on the Lake

The same driving while intoxicated rules apply on the water. Boating while intoxicated is a criminal offense under Texas Penal Code § 49.06, with the same 0.08 BAC threshold as a standard DWI on land. The water adds hazards you may not expect: poor lighting after dark, unfamiliar terrain, and no clear lane markings.

If your Fourth plans include a lake or a river, leave the boat at the dock if you have been drinking. The consequences of a BWI crash are the same as a standard DWI, including criminal prosecution and civil liability. Texas victims injured in drunk driving accidents have the right to pursue compensatory and exemplary damages under civil law. Understanding those rights before a crash happens, not after, is part of protecting yourself this holiday.

Stay Alert for Impaired Drivers on the Road

Even if you are completely sober, you face elevated risk on July 4th. Impaired drivers are most active in the late-night hours. Law enforcement ramps up holiday patrols, but no level of coverage eliminates all risk.

Watch for warning signs: lane drifting, erratic braking, unusually slow speeds on a main road, or wrong-way travel. If you see a driver behaving that way, increase your distance, call 911, and give the dispatcher the vehicle’s description, location, and direction. Do not follow or attempt to pass.

Wearing your seat belt is your most direct protection if an impaired driver reaches you. Victims of drunk driving crashes may pursue exemplary damages and, in some cases, a Dram Shop claim against the establishment that over-served the at-fault driver.

Firework Safety: Keep the Fun & Skip the ER

Consumer fireworks cause roughly 10,000 injuries in the United States each year, with the highest concentration around the Fourth of July. The injuries you are most likely to see are burns, lacerations, and eye injuries, and any of them can turn serious quickly.

Our firm has represented Texans whose Fourth of July ended in a trauma center, including cases involving catastrophic burns and one wrongful death claim. Fireworks are legal in many parts of Texas, but that legal status does not protect you from getting hurt.

Here is how to protect everyone at your celebration:

• Check local rules before you buy anything. Many Texas cities and counties restrict or ban consumer fireworks entirely. Breaking those rules creates legal liability in addition to physical danger.
• Keep fireworks away from young children. Sparklers burn at temperatures above 1,200 degrees. They cause more injuries than most people expect.
• Use a flat, open surface. Light away from dry grass, buildings, and overhead branches.
• Keep water close before you light anything. Have a bucket or a garden hose ready.
• Never relight a dud. Wait at least 20 minutes, then soak the device completely before you approach it.
• Stand well back. If you feel heat on your face, you are too close.

If a Holiday Injury Changed Your Plans

If you or someone you love was hurt on the Fourth of July, your next step is understanding your options.

Angel Reyes & Associates has spent over 30 years representing Texans injured in cases like yours. Our attorneys have recovered more than $1 billion for clients across the state on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We are available 24/7, handle cases remotely from anywhere in Texas, and offer service in Spanish as well.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.