HARRISBURG, Pa. - With the 4th of July weekend just a few days away, law enforcement and transportation officials are asking everyone to celebrate responsibly. Officials with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and PennDOT are joining authorities for a campaign to remind people not to drink while driving or on a boat. It's part of an Independence Day crackdown.
Officials explained state laws involving driving and boating while impaired. They also talked about ways people can be safe while enjoying holiday festivities.
"Drink responsibly, have a good time, celebrate our country's birth, but do so responsibly," Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico said. "Don't drink and drive, don't drink and boat. Odds are you're going to get caught [from the] increased law enforcement presence that we have out there."
Waterway officers say one of their goals is to raise awareness about the dangers of boating while under the influence.
"Drug and alcohol impaired-ness is a big danger on the water," Waterways Conservation Officer Mark Sweppenhiser said. " You get increased dehydration, you get more hazards on the water, you have floating debris, you have crossing traffic, you don't have stop lights, you don't have brakes on boats, and hazards don't stop at the water's edge. "