AAA DUI Trafic Safety

As Americans pop the cork on New Year’s Eve celebrations this weekend, AAA cautions partygoers against getting behind the wheel after the champagne toast.  According to a recent analysis conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, during the last decade, the years’ highest number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities occurs on New Year’s Day.
 
“Nationally, our members – who represent one in every four households—cite impaired driving as their greatest safety concern.  Yet, Americans continue to drink and drive. Alcohol-impaired drivers make up about one third of motor vehicle deaths,” said Jenny M. Robinson, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
 
There were 444 alcohol-related highway fatalities in Pennsylvania in 2010, about 34 percent of 1,324 total highway deaths in the state that year. In southeast Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties), 66 of the region’s 226 total highway deaths in 2010 (31 percent) were alcohol-related.

To keep roadways safe this New Year's Eve, AAA Mid-Atlantic encourages motorists to avoid the “Three Deadly D’s of Driving”:

Distracted Driving.

It is the driver’s responsibility to keep their eyes, mind and body fully focused on the task of driving. Assign a passenger to be the designated texter, talker and navigator. If traveling alone, pull over to a safe location to use your cell phone or adjust your navigation device. Child and pet passengers can also be distractions to drivers, so allow another adult passenger to interact with these family members.
  
Drunken or Drugged Driving.

Remember that impairment begins with the first sip of alcohol. A designated driver should be alcohol-free — not the person in your party who has consumed the least. In addition, many medications have side effects that cause impairment, so read medication labels thoroughly.  Also, you can plan to stay overnight where you are, or call a taxi for a safe ride home.

Drowsy Driving.

Driving drowsy is similar to driving impaired — awareness decreases, reaction time slows, judgment is impaired, and your risk of crashing skyrockets. Avoid this deadly situation by getting seven to nine hours of sleep before driving. Take a break every 100 miles or two hours, and do not drive during hours when you routinely sleep. If you feel tired while driving, pull over to a safe location and take a 20- to 30-minute nap.

Informaiton courteys of AAA.