It’s Independence Day week and most people are heading into the weekend ready enjoy a lineup of events: parades and fireworks, family cookouts and afternoons on the water.

But anytime — especially in the summertime — that celebrations are in order, the first order of business is for the person driving to or from any event avoid having too much to drink.

Every year, a statewide initiative to crack down on excessive celebrating, then driving, takes place. Last year, Operation Firecracker had 8,018 sobriety checkpoints across the state. Nearly 2,000 driving while impaired arrests were made. That many impaired drivers on the roads mean the odds of holiday wrecks increase dramatically.

But this year, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program is taking a new approach to drinking and driving: appealing to common sense. This week, a new campaign was launched: “Don’t Drink and Drive. You’re Smarter Than That.”

According to the GHSP campaign focuses on building awareness of the variety of options a person has readily available to them to get home safely after drinking. It’s never been easier to find a sober way home — including calling a friend, using a taxi, taking public transportation or designating a driver.

Most people don’t think about the consequences of drinking and driving until it’s too late. It’s not limited to the embarrassment of being arrested and appearing in court for a criminal charge. The consequences are far-reaching. Losing a license can impact every aspect of one’s life: being unable to do something as simple as making a trip to the grocery store or dropping the children off at a play date can’t happen without the assistance of another driver. The fines are steep, and insurance premiums skyrocket. It’s not a momentary thing.

“As you celebrate our nation’s freedom over the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, please take steps to celebrate safely and responsibly by planning ahead and find a sober designated driver,” said Don Nail, director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “Celebrate our country’s birth by honoring her and those who have died for our freedoms by not getting behind a wheel if you have been drinking.”

Drinking and driving is a costly affair. It can also be a deadly affair.

This weekend, use common sense — don’t drink and drive. We’re all smarter than that.