Celebrate Your Independence

Fourth of July is a time for festivities with friends and family, but itis also one of the deadliest driving holidays of the year. The roadswill be packed and distractions can be found around every corner.

GEICO offers the following reminder so you and your family have a betterchance of arriving home safely.

Use your cell phone for emergency situations only and never textmessage while driving.

If you are drowsy, pull off the road.

Do your multi-tasking while outside the car.

Always designate a non-drinking driver if you'll be on the road forholiday celebrations.

If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member,or use public transportation to get home safely.

In the Washington Metro area, GEICO works with the Washington RegionalAlcohol Program (WRAP) as a sponsor of SoberRide, which provides freecab rides as an alternative to drunk driving. People needing a ridecan call 1-800-200-TAXI. For more information go to www.wrap.org.

If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local lawenforcement.

In 2007*, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported200 traffic-related fatalities occurred on the Fourth of July holiday,with 44 percent of them involving a driver or a motorcycle rider abovethe legal alcohol limit.

Drinking and driving is one of America's deadliest problems. In 2007there were 12,998 people killed in traffic crashes that involved atleast one driver or motorcycle rider above the legal blood alcoholconcentration, according to the National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration.

So after a day filled with barbeques, fireworks and friends, remember tostay focused on the road and never drink and drive.

[*2007 -- latest available statistics]

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the third-largestprivate passenger autoinsurer in the United States based on 2008 market share data asreported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, March2009. GEICO provides autoinsurance coverage for 9 million policyholders and insures more than15 million vehicles.