Did you know that of the fatal crashes
in 2010, the highest percentage of drunk drivers was for drivers ages 21 to 24
(34 percent), followed by ages 25 to 34 (30 percent) and 35 to 44 (25 percent)?
Did you know that the number of people killed in distraction-affected crashes
decreased slightly from 3,360 in 2011 to 3,328 in 2012. An estimated 421,000
people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver,
this was a nine percent increase from the estimated 387,000 people injured in
2011? (Source: Distraction.gov).
On December 1, 2010, President Barack Obama
signed a Presidential Proclamation stating that December would be observed as
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. The Proclamation focuses not only on the prevention of
drinking and drugged driving, but the prevalence of “distracted driving” due to
“electronic equipment and texting”. The Proclamation is a call for all
individuals to practice safety by not getting behind the wheel impaired by alcohol
and drugs, including those drugs prescribed by a medical provider.
The
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced
the results of a nationwide survey related to impaired driving. The self
reporting survey concluded that “In an average year, 30 million Americans drive drunk , 10 million drive impaired by illicit
drugs.”
Thousands of
people die due to the prevalence of drinking or drugged driving, and many
innocent lives are shattered as a result. The ramifications don’t end with injury or family loss.
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies “the
annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than 51 million dollars”.
“The Putnam
County Communities That Cares Coalition is dedicated to preventive measures
geared towards reducing the intake of alcohol and illicit drugs, especially to
protect our youth. This includes reckless
or negligent behavior when using prescribed medication. This is not only a
local priority, but a national concern as well. For drivers 15-19 years old
involved in fatal crashes, 21 percent of the distracted drivers were distracted
by the use of cell phones ” said Joseph DeMarzo, Deputy Commissioner of Putnam
County Mental Health, Social Services and Youth Bureau.
“The
prevention of debilitated driving, whether it is from substance use or
distracted driving is imperative at any time. That being said, the holiday season
is a time when more gatherings take place and traveling is sometimes
inevitable. We encourage individuals to utilize public transportation should
they drink or use medication. It will protect you, your family, and the
community as a whole.” said Elaine Santos, Putnam County Communities That Care
Coalition Coordinator.
Coalition Tips
for Residents :
- Designate a sober driver
before celebrations begin.
- Never serve those under
the age of 21 alcohol.
- Plan safe parties,
including providing non-alcoholic drink options to guests and not serving
alcohol the last hour of the gathering.
- Be prepared to get
everyone home safe in case your plans or individual circumstances change.
- Driving is a serious
responsibility. Discuss what it means to be a safe driver with your teen
and set ground rules for when they're behind the wheel. If your teen is on
the road, they should stay off the phone.
- Remember: It can wait! No text message is
more important than your life (or another).
Impaired Driving is a serious problem throughout year and each month should be observed as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. The length of DUI related incarceration time has increased dramatically over the past decade, as have the fines. My friend works in office of a DUI lawyer and have told me enough times importance of hiring an experienced DUI attorney.
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