Police officers are stepping up patrols on the state’s roads and waterways in advance of the Independence Day holiday.

Carbon County District Attorney Jean Engler joined officials at Beltzville Lake on Friday to announce that officers will be conducting additional roving patrols and DUI checkpoints starting today through July 7.

“Summer’s favorite holiday, the one which celebrates our nation’s independence, is also one of the deadliest on the highways of our nation and in this commonwealth,” Engler said.

Scott Christman of the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission was also on hand to remind boaters that they will be increasing enforcement as part of “Operation Drywater” an annual event, which will take place July 5-7.

In 2018, 331 people died in alcohol-related crashes on Pennsylvania roads, 10% more than 2017. One in four traffic deaths on the state’s roads are alcohol-related.

Carbon County alone saw 12 fatalities from alcohol-related crashes, and another seven from drug-related crashes during 2017, the most recent year available.

The age groups most likely to get in a crash are drivers between 16 and 30 years old.

In an effort to keep people from driving drunk, saturation patrols and DUI checkpoints will be in effect this weekend through July 7.

The patrols will be concentrated during on weekends and nighttime hours, the most common times for DUI crashes.

“To keep yourselves, your family, friends and others safe on the roads and on the waters, plan ahead. When you’re planning the menu for barbecues or the route you’re going to take on the barbecue, lake or fireworks,” Engler said.

Driving under the influence could result in an arrest, fines and possible jail time.

Just like officers on the state’s roads, the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission will also be increasing enforcement around the holiday.

“Alcohol is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boat crashes where the cause was known,” Christman said.

Alcohol can alter balance, judgment, vision and reaction time, all things which are needed while boating. It also increases fatigue and the affects of cold water, Christman said.

About one in five boating deaths involve alcohol, Christman said.

A total of 3,542 boaters have been removed from waterways across the U.S. for boating under the influence during Operation Drywater since the event started in 2009. Just like on Pennsylvania’s roads, the limit for blood alcohol content for boat operators is .08.

Independence Day is known as a time when there are many more boats on the water.

Many people have less experience driving their boats than they do their cars, so the importance of avoiding boating under the influence is even greater, Christman said.

“It is illegal in every state to operate any boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Boating under the influence laws pertain to any vessels from canoes and row boats to large ships,” he said.

Dave Everly, impaired driving coordinator for Highway Safety Network, said patrols were set to begin on Friday. Everly said there are new laws in place in Pennsylvania which could make it a felony if you drive drunk as a repeat offender or drive with a minor in the car.

“It’s 100 percent preventable, including the arrest. It’s the motorist who makes the bad choice to operate impaired,” Everly said.