Drinking On The 4th? Be Careful, Amarillo Police Stepping Up Patrols.

The 4th of July weekend is all about freedom.

We celebrate this great country we live in, which typically involves partying and drinking.

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So much so in fact that the 4th of July weekend is the deadliest of the holidays on the roadways according to Amarillo police.

That's why Amarillo PD is planning on stepping things up for the holiday, and it starts today, Friday, July 1.

Amarillo PD says during the 4th of July holiday weekend, "(O)n average there is an alcohol-related crash in Texas every 20 minutes." That's a staggering number, way up from what the normal numbers would be.

In order to combat that, you'll see more of those black & white Amarillo PD cars rolling around the city. Their focus? Impaired drivers. Now, that doesn't mean if you're speeding but going in a straight line you're getting away with it.

The consequences of DWI are severe, and not something you want to have on your record. It starts with the financial impact.

You're looking at a financial hit of $20,000 or more. Between what you'd be fined in court, legal fees, and other expenses you'll incur, that's not something you want to spend your hard-earned money on.

It doesn't stop there either. Aside from the money you'll have to pay, you're looking at a suspended driver's license, which means more money spent on getting to and from work and other places you need to go.

If your case is severe enough, or you're a repeat offender, you could be looking at jail time as well.

So this holiday weekend, if you're partying, play it smart and have a designated driver or utilize a ride-share. In the long run, the $40 you spent on a ride to and from will save you a lot more money.