WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — The holiday season is a time of year when people gather with friends, colleagues and family to enjoy time together and celebrate.
Often, these social events include alcohol. A driver’s license mixed with a few alcoholic beverages can be dangerous. No one intends for alcohol-impaired driving accidents to happen, but they do.
“Every single injury and death caused by drunk driving is totally preventable by not driving under the influence,” states Steve Callon, AFMC Drug Demand Reduction Manager. “Plan ahead to have a designated sober driver that will drive everyone in your group home safely at the end of the night.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,000 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2013. An average of one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality occurred every 52 minutes during 2013.
The NHTSA offers the following tips to stay safe and drive sober:
• Designate a sober driver before the party begins; plan a way to get home safely at the end of the night.
• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
• If you see someone driving impaired, contact law enforcement with a vehicle descripition when it is safe to do so. It is your business. Getting drunk drivers off the road saves lives.
• Walking while impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
• If you have been drinking, there is always another way to get home safely. You can call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, or call your local free ride program.
Did you know? The worst days of the year for drunk driving are:
• New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day
• The Fourth of July
• St. Patrick’s Day
• Thanksgiving Eve/Thanksgiving Day
Airmen Against Drunk Driving was formed to eliminate DUIs/DWIs on Air Force bases and in surrounding communities. The goal of AADD is to safely return all military members and Department of Defense civilians to a residence if they are unable to drive themselves. Individuals who choose to drink should plan ahead for a designated sober driver or ride home.
But if the plan fails, call AADD. Hill AADD can be reached at 801-777-1111. Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. and Sunday from 9 p.m. to midnight.
