As part of the National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention month, a lot of state highway patrol and local law enforcement agencies will be joining together this holiday season in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign to remove drunk and drugged drivers from America’s roads. Drunk and drugged driving is especially prevalent during the holidays; leading to a tragic holiday season for many American families. During the month of December, 2009, 753 people were killed in crashes that involved drivers or motorcycle riders with blood alcohol concentrations of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.

One of the problems stems from all of the holiday parties during this period where participants have just a few drinks – an amount that they don’t feel will impact their driving abilities – and hit the road. However, even a small amount of alcohol from just a drink or two can impair your ability to drive. Drivers sometimes tend to forget that buzzed driving is still drunk driving.

Don't allow yourself to be pulled into that trap. There are many ways to enjoy the holiday season without the danger of drinking and driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following tips:

· Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;

· Before drinking, 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 ride program

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

· And remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. If you know people who are about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, take the driver’s keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

If you are hosting a party, you should remember that you can be held liable if a guest leaves your party and is involved in an alcohol or drug related collision. As a host, consider serving non-alcoholic "cocktails" and drinks. Recipes for a variety of refreshing non-alcoholic drinks are easily available online at this time of year.

December is the most dangerous driving month of the year. Don’t add to the danger by adding alcohol or other drugs to the mix. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Labels: buzzed driving, drunk driving, dui, holiday driving

Drunk driving is a terrible reality that exists in today's roads --- even with legislation, year after year, it seems that this continues to haunt motorist, any time of the year. That may change --- if the human element can't be corrected, some people are hoping that the cars of tomorrow become the cure themselves. There is currently legislation pending in Congress, one which aims to support research for the anti-drunk-driving technology for tomorrow's cars to be a reality.

The Roads Safe act, sponsored in the Senate by Senators Tom Udall and Bob Corker and in the House of Representatives by Shelley Moore-Capito, Heath Shuler and John Sarbanes. The legislation would help fund research on advanced alcohol detection technology that would make drunk driving impossible, or even obsolete.

At present, we currently have personal breathalyzers, ignition interlock devices and distracted driving prevention apps for smartphones. These are all well and good, but they are harder to implement on a wide scale, impossible to police (without being intrusive or violating the privacy of motorists) and sometimes, just plain expensive. Add to that, that these aren't all built-in with cars being sold today. These are aftermarket parts that have to be purchased and maintained separately, making most motorists clueless about them.

Though every motorist and pedestrian probably want even more safety for all, having to stick your mouth on a breathalyzer or ignition interlock device every single time you have to start your car is probably not the way to go.

If the legislation passes, $12 million a year over five years will be provided to fund research on new, emerging technologies for detecting impairment on behalf of the driver, without being invasive. The dadss (Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety) will be doing the research on technologies that may be able to detect alcohol from air samples in the vehicle passenger compartment, detect alcohol through the driver's skin using tissue spectroscopy, from emissions from the skin, from eye movements, and from driving performance.

The ultimate goal is to develop something that will be easy to deploy, non-invasive and effective. Once these advancements become ubiquitous with driving, drivers won't have a choice when it comes to distracted driving --- it simply won't be possible by then.

M.A.D.D. is urging everyone to support this legislation --- they urge everyone to show their email support (http://support.madd.org/site/R?i=So40TkkeQxdwYslDv3UB1A). for these technologies to become a reality, and hopefully eliminate drunk driving.

For more information on DADSS, visit their site. (http://www.dadss.org/ )

Labels: avoid distracted driving, breathalyzers, drunk driving, ignition interlock device, prevent drunk driving, road safe act

FHP, the Florida Highway Patrol has issued some safety tips when it comes to spring break safety. The focus, as with all spring breaks before it, is to help drivers prevent themselves from driving impaired. The FHP makes it absolutely clear though: they are not against having fun or spring breaks --- they only plead that drivers be sober and safe when on the road.

The Tips:

• Plan ahead. Always designate a sober driver before any drinking begins, or take a taxi or public transportation if you plan to drink alcohol. A taxi or bus ride is much cheaper than a DUI citation.


• Take the keys. Do not let a friend drive impaired.


• Heed the warning labels on prescription medicine bottles because even legal drugs can affect your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.


• Dial *FHP (*347) on your cell phone to report an impaired driver.

The Consequences:

• Drivers under the age of 21 caught with a blood alcohol level of .02 or higher will have their licenses suspended for a period of 6 months. A second offense results in license suspension for 12 months.


• The first offense for refusing to submit to testing automatically results in a license suspension for a period of 12 months, while a second offense results in an 18-month suspension.

Like most states, Florida only hopes that drivers take care of themselves not only for their own safety, but also for the people around them. Spring break is a great time to be out and about, but what's even better is doing it safely.

Additional Spring Break Pedestrian Safety Tips

Labels: alcohol, blood alcohol level, driver attitude, driver safety tips, drunk driving, dui, FHP, Florida Highway Patrol, suspended license

Now in its 28th year, December remains to be National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month. Also known as the 3D campaign, it was established way back in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan, in an effort to promote education on the dangers of drunk or drugged driving during the holidays.

With the festivities, events and parties that people are bound to attend this month, there can be no better month to be chosen to educate drivers about safety, beginning at the start of the month, and ending just before the new year. Here are some facts about impaired driving due to illegal substance consumption:

• 1 in 3 fatal vehicular crashes involve an alcohol/drug-impaired driver.


• The highest rate of impaired drivers is young adults aged between 18 and 25.


• Even after the consumption of just 1 drink, decision-making abilities become impaired and drivers begin to lose their inhibitions. After 2 drinks, reasoning and memory are affected.


• 3 out of 10 Americans face the possibility of being directly involved in alcohol/drug-related traffic accident during their lifetime.


• Each year, alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost about $51 billion. (2002)

What can be done? Here are just some suggestions on how to avoid becoming part of the grim statistics:

• Plan ahead. Figure out a way to get home/be taken home in case there will be drinks in a party.


• Better yet, leave your car and don't get behind the wheel at all --- have a designated driver, find information about designated driver services, grab a cab or ask to stay over if the party is at a friend's house.


• Don't let friends drive drunk. Find ways to get keys from a friend if that friend has any alcohol intake. They may get annoyed, but it's all for their own good.

Most driving safety organization support the drunk or drugged driving prevention program or campaign informing drivers via education. This year's focus for National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month is on getting the message across for the younger drivers, in order to keep them safe.

Public awareness coupled with highly-visible law enforcement campaigns will help drivers celebrate the holiday month, and not have to worry about being a statistic.

Labels: alcohol, designated driver, designated driving service, driver safety, driving under the influence, drugged driving, drunk driving, dui, National Drunk and Drugged Driving, prevent drunk driving

With the risks associated with drunk driving, there has been an increase in the number of professional designated driver services. These are either companies dedicated to having professional drivers sent to where a client is and have them driven home in their own car, or extensions of transportation or chauffeur services or sometimes local volunteer organizations to prevent drunk driving.

If you plan to attend an event where there will be alcoholic drinks, consider a driving service in your area similar to some of these highlighted below in Washington, Texas, Georgia, California, Pennsylvania and North Carolina:

Zingo, several states
(http://www.callzingo.com/) - When you call up Zingo, insured professional drivers will arrive in a foldable bike, store the bike in your trunk, take your keys and drive you home. Fees are $20 for initial pick-up and $2/mile plus tip. Services are available Tues-Wed 9PM – 2AM and Thurs-Sat 9PM – 4 AM otherwise, the service is closed on Sundays/Mondays. What's great about Zingo is that their services are available in several states.




Sober Rovers, Washington State (http://www.soberrovers.com/index.php) – Available in Washington state, Sober Rovers are scooter-riding professional drivers who pick up a client and deliver them safely home for $3 pick-up fee and $7 per mile. ($5 per mile after 10 miles) There's even a special promo for a Rover Miles card, which lowers the rate to a flat $5 per mile.

My Private Driver, several areas in Texas and L.A. Orange County (http://www.myprivatedriver.com/designated-driver-service-dallas-fort-worth-austin-texas-los-angeles-orange-county.html) – This is a new service offered by My Private Driver, a transportation company. There are currently 2 options for their designated driver service: Option 1 "On Demand", which is currently only available in Addison, TX. Once a call has been made, a driver will be dispatched to a client's current location, deliver the client in their car to their home, and the company will send in someone to pick up the driver. Option 2 "Personal Designated Driver", is basically hiring a driver for the night, meaning that clients won't even have to get in the driver's seat for a night out. The service will start from the client's home and will end in the same location. Rates are $28 per hour.

The Pear Transportation, Pittsburgh (http://www.thepearcares.com/) - Touting themselves as the only designated driver service in Pittsburgh. For a pick-up fee of $20 and $2 per mile, a professional driver is dispatched to where a client needs to be picked up, drives the client in their car home and then The Pear will send a runner for the driver.

Buzzed Home, Asheville, North Carolina (http://www.getbuzzedhome.com/Home.php) – Upon contact, a driver will be sent to the client's location in a foldable scooter, drive the client home in their car and leave using the scooter. This service is available only in Asheville, with their schedules being Thurs-Sat, 8PM – 2:30AM. Rates are $25 for up to 4 miles and $3.50 per additional mile, plus driver tip.

There are other services available, varying in how they dispatch drivers and location operations. The companies all state they use a methodical screening process for how they pick their drivers. These services may cost a little bit more than a cab ride home, but it beats the alternative of potentially driving under the influence. This also ensures you do not have to leave your car parked overnight, potentially accumulating overnight parking fees, and you having to pick it up the following day.

Be responsible; consider a designated driving service over the alternative to help keep our roads safe!

Read more about additional Technology to Prevent Drunk Driving: Disposable Breathalyzers

Labels: designated driving service, drunk driving, dui, prevent drunk driving

Most DUI related collisions resulting in death or major injuries are caused by drivers who have never been arrested for DUI before. Many of these drivers had driven with alcohol levels above the legal limit before but, having never been caught before, continued to drive after drinking. A couple of factors contribute to this. One is the attitude of “It’ll never happen to me.” The other is the fact that alcohol affects the judgment center of the brain and many don’t realize just how drunk they are.

The biggest deterrent to drunk driving is the fear of being caught but, when someone’s judgment is altered by alcohol, that fear may not exist. Trying to take away the keys and prevent someone in that state from driving can be difficult if not impossible. There are some technologies available that could help.

Disposable Breathalyzers – A company called Alcotesters.com sells a variety of breathalyzers but the most interesting is a disposable, very cheap, breathalyzer that can be used by anyone. They use a chemical process to detect alcohol in a person's breath and are small enough to fit on a key-chain. They can be purchased in any one of four settings from zero tolerance, set at .02 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), to measure any amount of alcohol in a person’s system, up to a .08 BAC setting that measures the legal limit for all 50 states.

Instead of trying to reason with a friend who may be too drunk to drive, these tiny breathalyzers provide an independent accurate measure of a person's alcohol level. They are so effective that the US Army is now issuing these key-chain breathalyzers to its troops and are encouraging the troops to use them to watch out for their buddies when they are out for a night on the town.

They may also be an effective tool for parents to use. It is difficult to overcome peer pressure when a teen is out of sight but, knowing that they may possibly face a breathalyzer test when they get home, may be enough to keep a teen from drinking at all.



Interlock Devices – Most people are aware of interlock devices required by the court to be installed in the vehicles of convicted drunk drivers. These breathalyzers require that the driver blow a clean sample before the car can be started. To prevent a drunk driver from asking a passerby to blow a clean sample, they require the driver to blow a clean sample at random times while driving; if the driver fails to comply, the engine shuts down.

Most states require the interlock device to be installed after a second DUI offense but drunk driving victim advocacy groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are pushing for legislation to require their use after a first conviction for DUI.

Interlock Devices as Standard Equipment - An amendment to the 2010 Motor Vehicle Safety Act, calls for $40 million over the next five years to develop alcohol detection sensors and could lead to sensors becoming standard equipment in all new vehicles in as few as 5 to 10 years.

These sensors are far different from the interlock devices installed in the vehicles of convicted DUI offenders today. The research being funded will look into skin sensors in the vehicle's steering wheel that could detect the presence of alcohol in the driver's sweat, or sensors located in the driver’s headrest that can detect alcohol in the driver’s breath or perspiration. The sensors will be set to require detection of a .08 BAC level before it locks the vehicle’s ignition system.

The American Beverage Association considers this measure to be a form of “Big Brotherism” but victim advocacy groups such as MADD and driving safety organizations such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety see the legislation as a positive step to prevent drunk driving.

Low Tech Approaches – Of course the safest and most effective approach to preventing drunk driving is to not drink and drive. If you make the decision on how you will get home, either by using a designated driver or calling a cab, before you go out for a night on the town, chances are pretty good that you will stick with that decision. But, if you wait until after you have been drinking and your judgment abilities are diminished by the alcohol's effects, you may find yourself driving into a lot of trouble. Technology is great but it can’t replace good common sense.

Additional Articles:
How to Deal with Underage Driving: Tips for Parents
Tips for Safe Summer Driving: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

Labels: drunk driving, dui, prevent drunk driving

In November, the New York State Senate unanimously passed the Child Passenger Protection Act which outlined stricter penalties for people convicted of drunk driving with a child in the vehicle. New York Governor David Patterson, a strong supporter of the measure, signed the bill on November 18. The Child Passenger Protection Act, more commonly known as Leandra's Law, went into effect on December 18, 2009.

Leandra's Law, which was named for an 11-year-old-girl who died in an accident by a drunk driver last fall, makes driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs a first-time felony offense when a child under the age of 15 is present in the vehicle. Additionally, those who are convicted are required to outfit their vehicles with ignition interlock systems.

The ignition lock is a device that requires the driver to blow into before he or she can start the car. The device has the ability to detect if the driver has consumed alcohol. If the device detects alcohol on the driver's breath it prevents the driver from being able to start the car. This mandatory ignition interlocking system is does not only pertain to driver’s with children under the age of 15 in the vehicle. Under New York state law any person convicted of DUI or DWI is required to out their vehicle with the device.

Driving impaired, or with a BAC above the .08 legal limit, with a child present is now considered a Class E felony for both first-time and repeat offenders. A Class E felony is punishable by 1 to 4 years in a New York state prison and $1,000 - $5,000 in fines, in addition to the mandatory ignition interlock.

Under Leandra’s Law the charges a person faces have increasing penalties in the event of serious injury or death to a child. The penalties are outlined as follows:

Serious Injury

• Class D felony


• 1 – 7 years in prison

Serious Injury & Reckless Driving

• Class C felony


• Maximum 15 years in prison

Death

• Class C felony


• Maximum 15 years in prison

Death & Reckless Driving

• Class B felony


• Maximum 25 years in prison

Read more about New York defensive driving and other drivers safety tips at http://safety.newyorkdefensivedrivingnow.com/.

Labels: alcohol, blood alcohol level, child passenger protection act, child safety, drunk driving, dui, new york driving laws, underage alcohol use, vehicle safety

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.com/.

Labels: buzzed driving, drunk driving, holiday driving

The holiday season is here again and the holidays present us with some unique driving situations. To have a safe and happy holiday season, some of these tips are worth remembering.

The festive nature of the holiday season provides us with some temptations that could lead to a dangerous driving situation. The obvious problem is alcohol consumption. That after-work party with a bit of spiked punch sounds innocent enough until you consider that, even if you are just slightly buzzed, you are still impaired. Alcohol takes time to metabolize out of the system and the daily commute is hazardous enough without adding alcohol to the problem. Remember that, even if you aren’t at fault in a collision, if the officer suspects that you have been drinking, you will be presumed to have contributed to the collision or to have been at fault. You could be charged with DUI and the insurance won’t pay a penny.

If you attend an evening party, it may be OK to have a small drink at the beginning of the evening so long as you know you will be there long enough for the alcohol to metabolize out of your system before you leave. If your plans include drinking during the party, make sure you have a designated driver or an alternative means of getting home.

If you are hosting a party where alcohol will be served you need to be aware that you can be sued if someone leaves your place and is involved in an alcohol related collision. To protect yourself, you need to ensure that all your guests have a designated driver to drive them home or that they call a cab. To be a really good host, you could consider not drinking anything yourself and offering your services as a designated driver to get your friends home. Also you should ensure that there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available for your guests. There are a lot of options; just make sure you choose the ones that are safest for your guests and that protect you as a homeowner.

If you don’t plan to attend any parties on New Year’s Eve, stay off the roads. There are just too many drunks out on the road on that night and that makes it dangerous for even the safest driver.

Remember these facts about alcohol:

• Alcohol is the same, no matter what form it takes. A 12 oz. can of beer has roughly the same amount of alcohol as a 6 oz. glass of wine and a 1.5 oz. shot of whiskey.
• Alcohol takes time to metabolize out of your system. Drinking coffee won’t speed up that time one bit.
• Be aware that drinking on an empty stomach will allow the alcohol to enter your bloodstream much faster.
• Know what you are drinking. If you don’t know exactly what is contained in that holiday punch, you could be consuming much more alcohol than you imagined.

Keep your holidays safe and festive. Don’t allow a poor choice to ruin the holidays for you.

For more articles on holiday safety visit our website at http://www.nationalsafetycommission.com.

Here’s wishing you a safe and happy holiday season.

Labels: alcohol, blood alcohol level, buzzed driving, drinking, driving, drunk driving, dui, holidays, safety