A Legal Guide On Celebrating July 4th
For a holiday that's dawned in red, white, and blue memorabilia, the last thing anyone wants to see is flashing police lights. But with this year being a historical 250th anniversary of Independence Day, law enforcement is preparing for any potential trouble.
Whether you’re planning on hitting the road for a star-spangled holiday or sitting poolside enjoying a cookout with friends, Hickey & Hull wants to remind you how to stay out of legal trouble this holiday and who to call, just in case you do.
How To Protect Yourself During This Year’s Festivities
Independence day events aren’t exclusive to July 4th; many Americans celebrate whenever their schedule allows and plan to attend a local fireworks display. That means anytime from June 27th to July 5th, the public will be out in droves to rejoice the Declaration of Independence being signed by America’s founding fathers 250 years ago.
Here’s how you can have a fun, but stress-free holiday in Arkansas:
#1: Attentive, Informed, Sober Driving
More than 72 million Americans are projected to travel 50 miles or more for this year’s 4th of July, according to AAA. Of those traveling, a whopping 85% will be driving to their destination. More traffic on the road means more accidents and the Traffic Safety Marketing data for Independence Day illustrates this uptick.
From 2020 to 2024, a cumulative 2,719 people died in traffic accidents on July 4th. 654 of those deceased were driving intoxicated, making the decision to illegally operate a vehicle while under the influence.
Arkansas participates in “Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over,” a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence, so law enforcement is preparing to stop drunk driving before fatality strikes. If you’re taking a road trip, stay safe, sober, and contact 911 if you suspect another driver is intoxicated.
#2: A Well-Maintained Home & Pool
Recently, in our blog post “Beat The Heat: Avoiding Summer Injuries,” we discussed one of the big sources of personal injury claims in the summertime: a pool. Homeowners are legally responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their property, including their pool; if a guest on the property suffers an injury, the homeowner could face a lawsuit for their negligence. You can review more information on premise liability here.
In the context of the holiday, July is the most dangerous month of the year for accidental drownings. Therefore, homeowners, it’s crucial that during your pool parties, there is a trusted party watching over the swimmers to avoid any accidents.
No one anticipates someone seriously injuring themselves while everyone is having fun in the sun. But, when you’re hosting a boisterous 4th of July get-together, it’s all too easy for someone to get hurt, leaving the homeowner to face the consequences.
#3: Legal Fireworks Display
Fourth of July is all about a grand firework display, although not everyone wants to celebrate by trekking out to their local firework show and battling the crowds. Some people opt to set off their own private firework displays, which can be legal so long as you follow your county’s firework ordinances and do not discharge them during a burn ban.
For example, residents of Fayetteville can light fireworks from 10am to 10pm on July 1st to 3rd, with July 4th ending an hour later at 11pm. However, aerial fireworks (the ones that have a stick to put in the ground) are banned.
Be sure to look at your local county and town ordinances ahead of buying 4th of July fireworks, otherwise, you risk having the police crash your home fireworks display.
Celebrating Independence Day In Arkansas
Current residents and traveling visitors, we hope you enjoy all the festivities Arkansas has to offer legally and safely. That means driving sober (traveling citizens, please review “Smoke A Joint, Lose Your License,” before attempting to travel with recreational marijuana), maintaining a secure home environment, and following firework laws.
If something goes sideways for you this 4th of July, Hickey & Hull is always here to help. Whether you’re facing a DWI, a personal injury lawsuit, or a civil rights violation, the attorney team at Hickey & Hull Law Offices are available to consult with you today. Contact our online agent or call (479) 434-2414 to get started on fighting your legal battle!