November 28, 2000
Every year during the holidays, families and friends gather for meals and parties in celebration of this season. Often, alcoholic beverages are part of the festivities, and many people still insist on operating a motor vehicle when the partying is over. Every year, the public is reminded about the dangers associated with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. In fact, all states have laws to deal with drunk drivers involved in accidents; 48 of the states also have laws that make it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of .08 or .10, whether or not the driver has had an accident. (In Connecticut, a person is considered legally intoxicated at the .10 level, meaning alcohol comprises 1/10 of 1 percent of the person’s blood.)
Most adults know that driving under the influence of alcohol is very dangerous and utterly irresponsible. The majority of us understand that alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that lowers inhibitions, dulls the senses, blocks memory functions, and slows reaction time. Impaired driving affects everyone – drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Each year, approximately 1 million people are injured in alcohol-related crashes; in 1996, alcohol played a part in 40.9% of all traffic fatalities. Someone dies in an alcohol-related collision in this country every 30 minutes, and every 2 minutes, someone is injured. Further, the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-24 is alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents. Young adults aged 21-34 comprise more than half of all the impaired drivers involved in alcohol-related crashes. And excessive drinking can have deadly consequences for pedestrians. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, “nearly one-third of all pedestrians who die in traffic related crashes are intoxicated.” The figures also reveal that in almost one-half of all pedestrian fatalities, either the driver or the pedestrian was under the influence of alcohol. Statistics also show that most alcohol-related accidents involving pedestrians involve males, usually occur at night, and frequently happen on weekends.
Fortunately, most of us will behave responsibly this holiday season. However, we all need to be mindful of other drivers and pedestrians during this time of celebrations. Since December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Month, this is an opportune time to issue some reminders about avoiding alcohol related accidents.
First, watch out for signs of impairment in others. When driving, stay a safe distance away from other drivers who weave from one side of the road to the other, make excessively wide turns at intersections, follow other vehicles too closely, drive too fast or too slow, break unnecessarily or stop inappropriately, or are slow to respond to traffic signals.
Second, we need to be just as vigilant with regard to pedestrians as we are with impaired drivers. If you know someone who has been drinking and is planning to walk, call a cab for that person or offer to drive or escort him/her home, even if it is only a short distance away. While driving, watch out for pedestrians who may be under the influence of alcohol-- be alert for sudden, unexpected movements. And if you plan to walk anywhere, limit the amount of alcohol you consume, carry a flashlight, and wear retro-reflective clothing at night and fluorescent colors during the day..
And, finally, of course, if you are driving, do not drive impaired; use the designated driver system to choose a driver who agrees to remain alcohol free or call a cab. It is important to remember to drive AND walk safely and defensively. By exercising good judgment and remaining alert, you and your family and friends can enjoy a happy and safe holiday season.