The upcoming July 4th holiday brings with it family picnics and celebrations with friends.

Local law enforcement officials, however, are out to remind drivers of automobiles and watercrafts that getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, using drugs or taking certain medications is a bad idea.At a press conference held Thursday near Beltzville State Park's boat launch, Carbon County District Attorney Jean Engler said alcohol related crashes decreased in Pennsylvania last year, but it remains a top safety issue.“We continue to take an aggressive approach to combat drinking and driving,” said Engler. “The good news is that these numbers are trending down, but that doesn't mean we're going to stop, especially around a holiday. One of the most celebrated dates in our country's history is also one of the most deadly.”Alcohol-related crashes are down in Pennsylvania from 11,041 in 2013 to 10,550 last year.Similarly, alcohol-related deaths from those crashes have also dropped from 381 to 333.“Of concern to us is the number of impaired drivers under 21 years old,” Engler said.Thirteen percent of alcohol-related driver deaths in 2014 came from the 16-20-year-old age bracket.That number jumps to 43 percent for ages 21-25.While only nine percent of crashes in Pennsylvania last year involved drivers who had been drinking, it led to 23 percent of traffic crash fatalities.“We're going to continue DUI checkpoints and intense traffic control,” Engler said. 'We all know holidays are an especially bad time for drinking and driving. There were 11 alcohol-related traffic crash fatalities in the state from June 27-July 6, 2014. There were also four fatalities from the combination of drug use and driving.”Engler was joined Thursday by Waterways Conservation Officer Scott Christman, of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.“We're also going to have a heightened level of officer presence combatting boating under the influence,” Christman said. “Last year, 17 people died in boating accidents in Pennsylvania, six of which were related to operators drinking alcohol. So far this year, 11 individuals have been arrested for boating under the influence. If you suspect anyone of boating under the influence, we ask you immediately report it to emergency communications.”While alcohol-related traffic crashes are slowly decreasing, boating under the influence incidents has jumped from 60 in 2012 to 92 last year.“These should be sobering numbers,” Engler said. “Plan ahead if you're going to drive a vehicle or operate a boat. It's always easier to just not drink at all if you're going to drive. It's hard to self-monitor. Even a slight amount of alcohol can affect your ability to drive.”