#buzzed driving

What a way to live out my last days in my current residence in Tampa Bay - listening to that PSA as I keep myself updated on Ian on the WFLA livestream. (Every darn ad break would feature this, and I’d bust out LAUGHING at the part when the man eats TWO LOAVES OF BREAD!)

Buzzed driving is drunk driving. But you knew that already, as much as you try to convince yourself that you got it when you get behind the wheel. Some important things to keep in mind as you consider your options the next time you’re out on the town: In 2014, 9,967 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. These…

New Post has been published on http://citizensjournal.us/be-a-saint-on-st-patricks-day-and-drive-sober/

Be A Saint on St. Patrick's Day and Drive Sober

St. Patrick’s Day brings to mind shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold, and good luck. But no amount of luck can save you from a drunk-driving crash. So whether you’re buzzed or drunk on St. Patrick’s Day, it doesn’t matter. NHTSA wants to remind everyone that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving–drive sober.

The Simi Valley Police Department will be deploying two roving DUI patrols this St. Patrick’s Day looking to stop and arrest drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs. These DUI patrols are, in addition to regularly scheduled patrol officers, all looking for the tell-tale signs of an impaired driver behind the wheel.

Nationwide in 2013, there were 31 people killed in drunk-driving crashes on St. Patrick’s Day. All in all, during the St. Patrick’s Day period from 2009 to 2013, there have been 276 drunk-driving fatalities. Every one of those lives was lost because of bad decisions. Unfortunately, March 17 has become a deadly day in the United States, with a dramatic spike in drunk-driving fatalities. And we’re not just talking about a little bit too much to drink here; from 2009 to 2013, almost three-fourths of the drunk-driving fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day involved drivers who were twice the legal limit.

The Simi Valley Police Department offers this advice to partygoers: “Get ahead of the decision this year. If you know you’re going to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with alcohol, then figure out a plan ahead of time for how you’ll get home. Don’t wait until you’re too buzzed to decide, and don’t let your friends drive drunk.” Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving, so if you have anything to drink, count on a sober friend, taxi, or public transportation to drive you home safely. Not drinking? Maybe this St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll be the saint who drives your friends sober.

Let’s make 2015 different. Use this party-planning checklist to stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day.

• DDVIP: The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb–all from one screen.

• NOW: Even if you don’t have plans yet, plan to drive sober or designate someone else to. Save the number of a taxi company in your phone so you always have a backup plan.

• WHEN YOU MAKE PLANS: A sober driver is an essential part of any party plan. Once you know where you’ll celebrate, decide whether you’re drinking or driving. You can only choose one.

• ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Before you take your first sip of green beer, leave your keys at home or give them to a friend. If you’re the designated driver, don’t drink. Enjoy non alcoholic beverages and brag about your VIP (very important partygoer) status online using the hashtag #designateddriver. Only drive sober or ride with a sober driver.

• EVERY DAY: If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely. If you know people who are about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

• DRUGS, MEDICATION & ALCOHOL = CRASHES: Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

Funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that reminds everyone to “Report Drunk Drivers! Call 9-1-1.” Stay connected with OTS via: www.ots.ca.gov, http://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS, http://twitter.com/#!/OTS_CA.

Simi Valley Police Department

The innovative Illinois Department of Transportation’s safe driving campaign, “The Driving Dead,” has posted the next episode in the series which features actor Michael Rooker and zombies.

The nearly 10-minute video, “The Gas Station,” tells the story of how even a single beer can impair one’s ability to make the kinds of critical decisions needed to drive safely.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/…

‘TIS THE SEASON TO DRIVE SOBER

These logos are probably familiar to you if you watch TV. The commercials for“Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” have been on for awhile and as we get close to the holidays, the theme“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” is being used. Both are products of the National Transportation and Safety Administration’s Traffic Safety Marketing Division and are designed to educate drivers young and not-so-young of the responsibilities that come with celebrating with alcohol. Facts to consider:

• People drink more than usual during the holidays. • Since people who drink more at that time don’t usually do so, they have a lower tolerance to the effects of alcohol. They may underestimate alcohol’s effects on them and can become intoxicated easier. • Problem drinkers and alcoholics are more at ease with drinking because others are doing it too. They feel “normal”. • The level of being busy and stressed can add a dangerous factor to driving in less than optimal road conditions such as more traffic and winter conditions in some parts of the country.

Playing it safe:

• It’s okay to refuse alcoholic beverages. There is no law that says you must drink at gatherings. • If hosting a get together, provide adequate non-alcoholic beverages. • Decide ahead of time, if possible, how many drinks are a safe number for you. • Alcohol should not be the reason or purpose for the celebration. • DO NOT DRIVE if you have been drinking. If you are with a group, designate someone to do the driving or, better yet, ask your host to arrange a safe way home for you.

Know the consequences and costs:

• Driving drunk comes with a host of costs such as- arrests; accidents; fees for attorneys, courts, vehicle repairs, higher insurance rates; loss of driving privileges and the worst most devastating of all- causing injury or taking a life of another due to being impaired. • Be aware that law enforcement agencies are geared up for more patrols during the holidays. If you are stopped, you will undoubtedly be subjected to a sobriety test. Don’t let your year end with an arrest. • During December 2009, 753 people were killed in crashes that involved drivers with blood alcohol levels greater than .08. IMPAIRMENT CHARTS FOR MALE AND FEMALE TO ILLUSTRATE HOW ALCOHOL IN DIFFERENT QUANTITIES CAN AFFECT AN INDIVIDUAL. Taken from The PoliceNotebook of the University of Oklahoma Police Department (www.ou.edu/oupd/bac.htm) Here are two sex-weighted charts for an alternate method of calculating an approximate BAC level…

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