The National Safety Commission Alerts
Safety is No Accident
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk This St. Patrick's Day
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
Monday, June 29, 2009
Florida Paying $3 Billion a Year in Underage Drinking Costs
Taxpayers Footing Almost 39% of Total Bill
Recently, the Florida Department of Children and Families released a new study entitled Economic Costs of Underage Drinking in Florida. Amongst its findings are that the statewide economic impact of underage alcohol-related crime, traffic crashes, health care and other costs Floridians over $3 billion each year.
Violent crime linked to alcohol was society’s greatest cost, accounting for $316.3 million, or 48%, of total underage drinking costs.
Taking third place were traffic crashes, with a fiscal tab of $642.7 million for medical and emergency services, lost productivity, workplace and legal costs, property damage and other costs.
Other economic impacts detailed in the county-by-county report included:
• Unsafe sexual behavior - $291.1 million
• Fetal alcohol syndrome - $75.4 million
• Alcohol-related medical and other costs resulting from injuries — $202.5 million
• Suicides and attempted suicides - $48.3 million
• Alcohol abuse treatment - $2.8 million.
Six Florida counties alone were responsible for 52% of the total estimated cost: Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, Palm Beach, Hillsborough and Duval. According to the study's authors, the higher costs were associated with higher crime and traffic crash rates in these counties.
The study revealed that most of the economic burden of alcohol abuse falls on those who do not abuse alcohol. Florida taxpayers bore 38.6% of the total costs.
The overall cost per youth was also computed by researchers, which averaged $627 per person under the age of 21 and $1,818 per youth between the ages of 14 and 20. These expenditures were the result of roughly 180 youth deaths and 71,602 injuries and other events directly ascribable to alcohol use by minors.
"This study shows that in addition to the human toll of underage drinking, there is also an economic cost that affects us all," said Bill Janes, DCF Assistant.
"We especially want to involve parents in our prevention efforts, because research shows that parents and other significant adults are the key factors in determining whether or not a teenager decides to drink," Janes continued. "Communities also have a role to play in protecting teens and promoting alcohol and drug-free lifestyles."
According to a 2008 survey of alcohol and drug use by Florida's middle and high school students, most do not drink and the number of those who do is on the decline. However, a cause for concern is that the percentage of those who reported drinking during the past month continues to exceed the national average - 37% compared to 29.3%.
The study provides a "blueprint" for Florida's state and local policy makers. "It has implications for law enforcement and the health care and insurance industries, as well as for health and social services agencies," Janes said.
Economic Costs of Underage Drinking in Florida was a State Epidemiology Workgroup project, a multidisciplinary group comprised of a range of experts from Florida. The study's corresponding author is Michael T. French, Ph.D., of the Treatment and Prevention Evaluation Group at the University of Miami's Comprehensive Drug Research Center. The study's cost estimates are for 2007.
Recently, the Florida Department of Children and Families released a new study entitled Economic Costs of Underage Drinking in Florida. Amongst its findings are that the statewide economic impact of underage alcohol-related crime, traffic crashes, health care and other costs Floridians over $3 billion each year.
Violent crime linked to alcohol was society’s greatest cost, accounting for $316.3 million, or 48%, of total underage drinking costs.
Taking third place were traffic crashes, with a fiscal tab of $642.7 million for medical and emergency services, lost productivity, workplace and legal costs, property damage and other costs.
Other economic impacts detailed in the county-by-county report included:
• Unsafe sexual behavior - $291.1 million
• Fetal alcohol syndrome - $75.4 million
• Alcohol-related medical and other costs resulting from injuries — $202.5 million
• Suicides and attempted suicides - $48.3 million
• Alcohol abuse treatment - $2.8 million.
Six Florida counties alone were responsible for 52% of the total estimated cost: Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, Palm Beach, Hillsborough and Duval. According to the study's authors, the higher costs were associated with higher crime and traffic crash rates in these counties.
The study revealed that most of the economic burden of alcohol abuse falls on those who do not abuse alcohol. Florida taxpayers bore 38.6% of the total costs.
The overall cost per youth was also computed by researchers, which averaged $627 per person under the age of 21 and $1,818 per youth between the ages of 14 and 20. These expenditures were the result of roughly 180 youth deaths and 71,602 injuries and other events directly ascribable to alcohol use by minors.
"This study shows that in addition to the human toll of underage drinking, there is also an economic cost that affects us all," said Bill Janes, DCF Assistant.
"We especially want to involve parents in our prevention efforts, because research shows that parents and other significant adults are the key factors in determining whether or not a teenager decides to drink," Janes continued. "Communities also have a role to play in protecting teens and promoting alcohol and drug-free lifestyles."
According to a 2008 survey of alcohol and drug use by Florida's middle and high school students, most do not drink and the number of those who do is on the decline. However, a cause for concern is that the percentage of those who reported drinking during the past month continues to exceed the national average - 37% compared to 29.3%.
The study provides a "blueprint" for Florida's state and local policy makers. "It has implications for law enforcement and the health care and insurance industries, as well as for health and social services agencies," Janes said.
Economic Costs of Underage Drinking in Florida was a State Epidemiology Workgroup project, a multidisciplinary group comprised of a range of experts from Florida. The study's corresponding author is Michael T. French, Ph.D., of the Treatment and Prevention Evaluation Group at the University of Miami's Comprehensive Drug Research Center. The study's cost estimates are for 2007.
Labels: underage alcohol use, underage drinking
