This New Year's Eve, put safety first behind the wheel

As 2010 draws to a close, Americans across the country are planning their New Year's celebrations.  But during this exciting time of parties and resolutions, it's important to keep safety in mind.

The fact is, New Year's Eve can be one of the most dangerous nights of the year on our nation's roadways because of drunk and impaired driving.  And I can't overemphasize how serious this problem is: in 2009 alone, 10,839 people were killed in drunk driving crashes, representing 32 percent of all traffic fatalities for the year.

That's why DOT's annual "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" winter holiday crackdown is currently under way, helping to raise awareness and get drunk drivers off the streets.  Law enforcement officers across the country are stepping up visibility and increasing vigilance as part of the campaign.  And the new "No Refusal" initiative we're promoting nationwide will help ensure that drivers suspected of being under the influence will face the strictest penalties possible for their actions.

But ultimately, putting a stop to drunk driving begins with personal responsibility.  Organizations like MADD have told us the stories for years--of a fun evening out with friends that took a tragic turn because someone made the poor decision to drink and drive.  

So, as you head out this New Year's Eve, make a plan.  Choose a designated driver.  Take public transportation.  Call a cab.  But don't get behind the wheel if you've had too much to drink.  It's not worth the consequences.

Make 2011 a happy--and safe--new year.

Comments

[Tribulus Terrestris]

The idea of celebrating looking forward to the coming year only to reduce your chances of it being a reality drink driving is not practical. So I agree that personal responsibility is key in curbing drink driving fatalities.
Have a Great 2011! Everyone

[S. Hastings]

Re: Your "no refusal" initiative. Why would I prove my own guilt and give in to a blood sample against my will. I thought anyone accused of a crime may not be compelled by the state to incriminate themselves? Just another attempt at prohibition by the leftist group MADD. They already want to decrease the legal limit to .04, which is just a glass of wine with dinner. They're just another group that started small but demands more and more funds to expand their ever-increasing bloated payroll-sort of like the government's increased nanny-states roll in our lives.

[Alex - Laboratorio fotografico]

I can see that the problem of traffic deaths is not only a Spanish epidemic. In my country, since 2000, we have achieved to reduce in 50% this type of deaths. However, around 3000 people have died this year.

This is probably one of the most stupids ways to die.

So, very careful on the road.
Alex.

[Michael E. Bailey]

Over The Limit Under Arrest is a great program and needed more than ever over the Christmas/New Years period. It makes the roads safer for everyone. I would go a little further as well and advocate for tamper proof alcohol locks to be installed on the vehicles of feloney drunk drivers and repeat offender drunk drivers. This is being done in Europe now with Belgium being the most recent country to mandate alcohol locks for certain classes of drunk drivers. We also need a good slogan to deal with the driving and texting/talking on the cell phone distracted driving issue--something like maybe, "Engine On, Phone Off." To be the slogan for the whole range of things including the communihty education and out reach and the enforcement. Hope you had a great holidays. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[David]

Happy New Year everyone! Sadly, this is one of those things that keep getting bad to worst over here in Southeast Asia as well. Just hoping the government will come down harder for drink-driving.