The Warren County DUI Task Force is encouraging motorists to have a safe Independence Day weekend.

“Warren County DUI Task Force will be conducting sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols over the holiday season,” Warren County DUI Coordinator Todd Mineweaser said. “You may observe an added presence of police and traffic stops.”

Increased efforts began on June 23 and will continue through July 5, according to a PennDOT release.

“Officers will be targeting impaired drivers for drugs and alcohol,” Mineweaser said. “Don’t be alarmed if you are pulled over for an equipment violation. Officers will be doing more aggressive traffic enforcement for the next couple of weeks.”

The number of crashes and fatalities in the 10-day July holiday period was down last year, compared to 2015, according to PennDOT. “According to PennDOT data, last year there were 293 alcohol-related crashes resulting in eight fatalities from Friday, July 1, to Sunday, July 10. This marked a decrease from 2015, when there were 330 alcohol-related crashes and 11 fatalities from Friday, June 26, through Sunday, July 5, 2015. Also, during the holiday period last year, there were 101 drug-related crashes and four fatalities in those crashes, compared to 99 drug-related crashes and four fatalities in 2015.”

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will also have increased boating under the influence (BUI) enforcement efforts over the holiday, according to PennDOT.

“Distracted and impaired drivers will be cited, arrested and charged,” Mineweaser said. “Once again we ask if you plan on celebrating the 4th of July with friends make it a priority to have a designated driver (DD) or stay home.

“Crashes involving DUI are entirely preventable,” according to PennDOT. “Motorists should keep their families, themselves, and other motorists safe by designating a driver, or not driving or riding a motorcycle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”