Safe Communities announced today that there have been 11 fatal crashes to date compared to 14 last year at this time.
The holidays are a time for caring and sharing, which is why Safe Communities is sharing the message about the dangers of drunk driving. This holiday season, from December 13, 2019, through January 1, 2020, law enforcement will participate in the high-visibility national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. During this period, local law enforcement will show zero tolerance for drunk driving.
Let’s look at sobering statistics from 2018:
- NATIONAL STATISTICS
- 839 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver during the month of December 2018.
- During the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday periods in 2018 alone, there were more drunk-driving-related fatalities (285) than during any other holiday period that year.
- Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with blood alcohol concentrations [BACs] at or above .08). In 2018, there were 10,511 people killed in drunk-driving crashes. To put it in perspective, that’s equal to about 20 jumbo jets crashing, with no survivors.
- Of the traffic fatalities in 2018 among children 14 and younger, 22% (231) occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.
- Despite the fact that it’s illegal to drive when impaired by alcohol, in 2018, one person was killed every 50 minutes by a drunk driver on our nation’s roads.
- WOOD COUNTY STATISTICS
- There were 35 injury crashes and 118 Property Damage crashes during the holiday season in 2018
- There were 3 alcohol related crashes during this time period
Always remember to plan ahead if you will be celebrating. If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously and do not consume alcohol, not even one drink.
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911 or #677
- Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
Don’t Wreck the Holidays – Designate
