Don't Depend on Dumb Luck—Designate a Sober Driver Before the Party Begins

March is the month to don some green, pull out the shamrocks, and look for the pot of gold. St. Patrick's Day is approaching, spring is arriving and every one is ready to celebrate and enjoy good cheer. For many St. Patrick's Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family. Unfortunately, due to the large number of drunk drivers, the night out has also become very dangerous.


On St. Patrick's Day 2008, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.


"Whether you are meeting a few friends at the local pub after work or attending parade, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired-and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired".


Additional NHTSA statistics show that in 2008, there were 134 crash fatalities on St. Patrick's Day. Out of that number, 50 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.


For a safe St. Patrick's Day take the following steps:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;


• Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;


• If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;


• Use your community's Sober Rides program


• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;


• And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk, not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant. Don't depend on dumb luck this St. Patrick's Day. Designate your sober driver before the party begins.


For more information, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.


*- ST. PATRICK'S DAY IS DEFINED AS 6PM MARCH 16 TO 5:59AM MARCH 18

Labels: blood alcohol level, buzzed driving, drunk driving, dui, underage alcohol use, underage drinking

As the fourth of July holiday weekend approaches, families and friends, retailers and law enforcement all gear up for what the celebration will bring. While everyone is making their plans, special attention needs to be given to the responsible use of alcohol.

•Be sure to limit access and take steps to prevent the use of alcohol to minors.
•Take steps to ensure that anyone who has consumed alcohol does not drink and drive.

Many people mistakenly think that if they are just slightly impaired, they are still capable of driving. Buzzed driving is drunk driving.

In 2007, 34 percent of all drivers involved in traffic-related crashes during the July 4th holiday period (6 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2007 to 5:59 a.m. on Thursday, July 5, 2007) had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, the legal limit in all states.

Much of the tragedy from drunk driving can be prevented with a few simple precautions before going out to celebrate:

•Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
•Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys
•If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely
•Use your community's Sober Rides program
•If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to contact your local law enforcement

If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk, no matter the level of impairment. Alcohol not only affects each person differently, it can affect the same person differently. The effects change based on your food consumption, chemical interactions with other medications and general health.

The consequences of driving impaired are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant. Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses.

Don't let this Fourth of July blow up in your face. Remember, Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Designate your sober driver before the parties begin.

For more information, please visit http://www.stopimpaireddriving.org/.

Labels: buzzed driving, drunk driving, holiday driving