The Minnesota Department of Public Safety encouraged Minnesotans to make wise choices for a safe ride this week as the Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays on Minnesota roads.

Fifty-nine deaths have been reported in the past 10 years over the holiday, and 34 fatalities — 58 percent — were attributed to alcohol-related crashes.

“In the summer, we experience fewer crashes than in the winter, but along with the warmer temperatures, people tend to drive at higher speeds and crashes are more severe, which results in more fatalities and serious injuries,” said Donna Berger, office of traffic safety director, in a press release. “In addition to always buckling up, driving at safe speeds and paying attention to the road, the high number of DWI arrests is a call to action for all Minnesotans to plan a sober ride home before going out to celebrate.”

Since 2004, Independence Day also has seen 4,585 crashes, 200 serious injuries and 5,324 DWI citations, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.