Police stepping up patrols for holiday

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - This holiday week, police officials across the country are stepping up their presence on the roads, looking for impaired drivers.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is joining that effort, reminding motorists to drink responsibly.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 31 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2010 were attributed to drinking and driving.

Officials say they routinely see a spike in impaired deaths during the Fourth of July holiday.

Besides designating a driver before you drink, RIDOT also reminds people to buckle up.

Not only is it the law in Rhode Island, but seatbelts have proven to reduce risk of fatal injury by 45 percent.