Alcohol, drugs, driving = bad idea Published Dec. 6, 2007 Hurlburt Field ADAPT HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- On Nov. 30, President George Bush proclaimed December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month. In signing this proclamation, President Bush urged all Americans to make responsible decisions and take appropriate measures to prevent drunk and drugged driving. Since 1981, every president of the United States has demonstrated his commitment to preventing impaired driving by proclaiming December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. Reducing the incidence of impaired driving requires a comprehensive approach, while recognizing that every community faces different challenges. Some states and communities will increase enforcement of impaired driving laws through sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols. To further highlight the importance of driving free of the influence of alcohol and drugs, consider the following facts from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: - Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 31 minutes, and non-fatally injure someone every two minutes - In 2005, 16,885 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, representing 39% of all traffic-related deaths - More than half of the 414 child passengers ages 14 and younger who died in alcohol-related crashes in 2005 were riding with the drunk driver - In 2005, 48 children age 14 years and younger were killed as pedestrians or pedal-cyclists, after being struck by impaired drivers - Male drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes are almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater - It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico - Among motorcycle drivers killed in fatal crashes, 30% have BACs of 0.08% or greater - Nearly half of the alcohol-impaired motorcyclists killed each year are age 40 or older, and motorcyclists ages 40 to 44 years have the highest percentage of fatalities with BACs of 0.08% or greater - Of the 1,946 traffic fatalities among children ages 0 to 14 years in 2005, 21% involved alcohol - Among drivers involved in fatal crashes, those with BAC levels of 0.08% or higher were nine times more likely to have a prior conviction for driving while impaired (DWI) than were drivers who had not consumed alcohol 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, designate a sober driver and give that person the keys - If impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation - Use the community's Sober Rides program; - Contact local law enforcement if another driver appears to be intoxicated - If someone is about to drive while impaired, or ride with an impaired driver, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to safely get to where they are going