While many of us focus on fireworks safety each Fourth of July, we also need to keep our roads safe for the drive home after the festivities.

Whether at a family picnic or viewing the local fireworks display, many of us will be on the road this Independence Day. It’s time to spread the word about the dangers of buzzed driving and to remind people that Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving, and the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead.

We need your help in keeping the roads safe for everyone this July Fourth by spreading the word that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

There are four steps you should take to protect your loved ones on the Fourth of July.

1.) Designate a sober driver before you leave for your Fourth of July events.

2.) Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi.

3.) Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

4.) Call 9-1-1 if you see an impaired driver on the road.

Even if you will not be drinking alcoholic beverages this Fourth of July, keep in mind that over the course of 2008, 1,179 people in other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. And there were a total of 491 motor vehicle traffic fatalities during the Fourth of July Holiday period (Thursday, July 3rd, 6 pm to Monday, July 7th, 5:59 am). And for those who say they don’t plan on over-indulging . . . a buzzed driving crash looks the same as a drunk driving crash.

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How to Clean Your Plate of Something You Hate

* Sauce it up – Disguise the taste of something disgusting with a generous helping of something tastier. To avoid getting caught, put the condiment on the side of your plate instead of pouring it directly on your food. Use your fork to push bite-sized pieces through the pool of sauce. Now lift that forkful of yuck to your mouth and stay focused on the taste of the sauce—chew quickly, swallow, and repeat.

* Breath to Relieve – Once you start chewing, begin blowing air out of your nose in quick, short bursts. Concentrating on your breathing not only gets you to think less about the food, it prevents you from smelling it. The end result? You’ll barely be able to taste it (because taste and smell are linked).

* Flush it Away – If your meal is so bad that swallowing it is making you gag, then turn to your best ally in this situation: your drink. Chew a small portion of food at a time, and then take a sip of your drink to ease it down.

* Bread it – A simple dinner roll can be a lifesaver when you’re faced with a dreadful dinner. Bread is especially good when you don’t like the texture of your food (like if it’s slimy). Just take a bite of bread with every bite of slime. The blandness of the bread will also help mask bad flavors.

* Practice “Mind Over Meal” – In extreme cases, you may need to call upon your imagination. Consider it a challenge to see if you can imagine that the liver you’re eating is actually a delicious grilled steak.

* Disguise it with Mashed Potatoes – If you really can’t deal with the taste, the thick white-ness of mashed potatoes provides the perfect cover for the horror on your plate. Lift the mashed potatoes with your fork, and slide that unwanted crud under the cloud of mashed mush using your knife. Other useful places to stow food are under a helping of peas or chunky applesauce. Try cutting your food into tiny pieces first—this makes it easier to hide.

Enjoy and have a happy and safe Independence Day!

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