Lots of folks are getting a head start today on the Independence Day weekend festivities. There are backyard barbecues to plan and buy provisions for, and you need to fine-tune the planning process to include time out for watching fireworks displays.

You also should give some thought to surviving this holiday weekend, which can be one of the most dangerous of the year on California?s streets and highways.

There was a grim reminder in the paper the other day of just how high the cost of an inappropriate celebration can be. A Los Angeles man was sentenced to a prison term for driving drunk, which led to a crash that killed a Santa Maria resident.

Local law enforcement officials have little sympathy for impaired drivers, who are annually responsible for thousands of deaths and thousands more injuries, all because of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Central Coast police, sheriff?s deputies and CHP officers will be prowling our streets, on the lookout for erratic driving or any other sign that a driver is impaired.

It?s all part of Santa Barbara County?s Avoid the 12 campaign, which involves special DUI patrols in key areas. This weekend, those key areas will be in the proximity of fireworks displays, and other locations where holiday partying is likely to take place.

The big holiday anti-DUI push begins just after midnight tonight, and ends at midnight Sunday.

Beyond just being on your best behavior, our advice is to monitor your alcohol consumption, designate a non-drinker to do the driving when it?s time to go home or visit the next party, and take very seriously the risks of driving while under the influence.

Buying and drinking alcoholic beverages is legal 8 driving drunk is not. You need to know your limits, and know when to ask a sober friend for help getting home. Not taking these simple precautions could turn out to be very costly.

Now, enjoy your weekend, and stay healthy for the beginning of the next work week.

July 3, 2009