December is National Drunk, Drugged and Distracted Prevention Month

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).

The Holidays and Safety

Don't Drink and Drive Coaster Initiative!

Check out the new coasters we designed and are providing to restaurants who provide alcohol on premise (bars, restaurants, golf courses). This is a great way for people to see, right at their fingertips, a safe ride home instead of drinking and driving. Thank you to all the taxi companies that worked with us
on this initiative and agreed to have their numbers placed on the coasters! Community prevention! If YOU are a Putnam County business interested in having coasters, please contact me (Elaine) at putnamdfcgrantee@gmail.com

Drunk Driving Is a Deadly Problem This Fourth of July

GOAL/POSITIONING:  The goal is to warn people of the dangers and consequences of driving while impaired.  Impaired-driving crashes killed more than 10,000 people in 2010, accounting for 31 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in the United States.  That’s an average of one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality every 51 minutes.

That is why the Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition,  along with other highway safety, community, health and law enforcement officials, are reminding everyone this Fourth of July that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving and to designate a sober driver before the celebrations begin.

KEY MESSAGES:

During the July 4^th holiday, alcohol is a major factor in fatal crashes

• Impaired driving fatalities spike during nighttime hours. The proportion of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2010 was almost five times higher at night (6pm to 5:59am) than during the day (6am to 5:59pm) for the July 4^th 2010 holiday period (6:00pm July 2 - 5:59am July 6.) In fact, more than 80 percent of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities took place at nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.)

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 392 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes during the Fourth of July holiday in 2010 (6:00pm July 2- 5:59am July 6.)  Of those fatalities, 39 percent were in crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.

• Alcohol-impaired-driving crashes killed 10,839 people in 2009, accounting for 32 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.  That’s an average of one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality every 48 minutes.

• Beware: the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2009 was four times higher at night than during the day.

Whether way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk. Impaired Driving creates serious consequences.

·         Alcohol impairs many of the skills that safe driving requires, including judgment, concentration, comprehension, coordination, visual acuity and reaction time.

·         Driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in every state. Yet many people still ignore the law. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, more than 1.44 million people were arrested for driving under the influence during 2009. 

·         The tragedies and costs from drinking and driving impaired do not just end at the potential death, disfigurement, disability and injury caused by impaired drivers.

·         Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is not worth the risk. The consequences 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 really significant and not the way you want to celebrate the July 4th holiday.

·         People that break the law often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, other fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, lost time at work, etc.

·         This summer don’t let your 4th of July end in an arrest—or even worse, death. Make smart decisions. Plan ahead so you can ensure a safe way home.

·         Remember: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Don’t drink and drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is sponsoring the campaign Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving which begins Sunday June 24, 2012 and continues through July 4, 2012. It encourages community members to practice safe driving practices on and around Independence Day.

Members of the Putnam CTC Coalition are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children. Please call the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependencies of Putnam at 845-225-4646, Ext. 13 for information and referrals. Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or by searching Twitter at “PutnamCTCNY”.

·         For more information, visit For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober.

Putnam County Victim Impact Panel Speakers Honored

Volunteer speakers were honored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam, the Putnam County Executive’s Office, Putnam County Probation, STOP DWI, and the Walter Hoving Home on May 10, 2013 for their contributions to the Putnam County Victim Impact Panel Program.

The purpose of the program is to impact DWI/DWAI offenders mandated to attend the program and others deemed appropriate by the judicial system, and to provide restorative benefits to victims speaking as panel members. The speakers talk briefly about an impaired driving crash in which they were injured, or in which a loved one was killed or injured, and how it has impacted their lives and the lives of their families.  Panel members include people in recovery, emergency services providers, police officers, and past DWI/DWAI offenders.

“This program wouldn’t be a success without the strength of the volunteer panel members who bravely share their stories every other month at the VIP Program.  The evaluation responses we receive from those who attend the class show how their stories really touch and impact those who have been intoxicated and/or impaired while driving. We are forever grateful to them for their willingness to discuss one of the most difficult times of their lives” stated Kristin McConnell, Executive Director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam.

Many panel members who accepted the award expressed their gratitude in being part of the program and stated that speaking about their experiences helped them through the day to day healing process.

If you would like more information about the Putnam County Victim Impact Panel Program or are interested in speaking at one of the programs, please contact NCADD Putnam at 845-225-4646 extension 10.

Save the Date: Hang Up and Drive Seminar

For Putnam County parents and teens on the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. The seminar is May 21st at 6:00p.m. and features Jacy Good, who is well known for her presentation across the United States. Please click the above flyer for more information. This free seminar is proudly presented and sponsored by the Putnam County CTC Coalition.

Due to space, registration is required.