Four on the Fourth: Be Safe Tonight

Independence Day celebrates our independence from Britain. As we're constantly reminded, many people fought—many of them in the vicinity of Boston—to give us this independence and the associated freedom. Just as this freedom came with (the bill of) rights, so too did it come with responsibilities. While you celebrate the anniversary of our independence this weekend, keep in mind that we should respect the rights of others even as we rejoice in having our own. Four accidents have occurred and eight people have died already today, perhaps due to excessive and irresponsible celebration of this important anniversary. We encourage you to make this Independence Day joyful, not tragic: keep your wits about you as much as you can, don't drink too much, don't drink at all if you're driving, buckle up, and try not to be—or cause—another tragedy today.