HOLIDAY PLANNER

FACT SHEET & TALKING POINTS

·      In 2006, 42,642 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes.  Out of that number 13,470 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclists with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.   

·        It is illegal in every state to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.

·        One half of all alcohol-involved drivers and motorcyclists had BACs equal to or higher

than twice the illegal per se level in all States and the District of Columbia.

·        In December of 2006, 1,076 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver

or motorcyclists with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.  

·        664 of those fatalities were drivers or motorcyclists whose BACs were .08 and above.   

·        This Holiday season, law enforcement will be cracking down on drunk drivers with zero tolerance.

·         The Van Buren Police Department is joining forces with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to spread the message that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

Drunk Driving Prevention

·        Following these easy steps, a driver can enjoy a safe and festive holiday without jeopardizing their life and the lives of the others who may be   on the road. 

§  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;

§  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.

·        Since 1981, every President of the United States has demonstrated the commitment to preventing impaired driving by proclaiming December as National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month.

Impaired Driving Creates Serious Consequences

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

·        Driving or riding a motorcycle while 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 significant.

·        Drunk driving violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost wages due to time off from work.

·        Refusing to take a sobriety test in many jurisdictions may result in the loss of your license on the spot and the impoundment of your vehicle. Not to mention the added embarrassment, humiliation, and consequences after informing family, friends and employers.

Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

·        This holiday season, don’t let your year end in an arrest—or even worse, death. Make smart decisions. Plan ahead, so you can assure a safe way home. Whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk.

·        Remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk. Don’t ever get behind a wheel of a vehicle when you are impaired.

·        For more information, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.