New Year's Eve is typically a night when people celebrate and ring in the upcoming year. It is a night where alcohol is frequently consumed and some people party until the next day.
Whether it is a holiday or not, underage drinking is not legal. Drinking and driving can kill. Equally, Buzzed Driving kills.
Safety matters. Talk to your teens about the dangers of drinking and driving - and stress the fact that having just a beer or two is considered buzzed driving.
In 2009, over 10,800 people were killed in drunk driving crashes, with 735 of those fatalities occurring in December. The annual “Drunk Driving. Over The Limit. Under Arrest” campaign is currently in full swing through January 3rd. Police will be out in force this holiday season to pull over and ticket offenders.
Don’t let the New Year start off deadly for you, your family, and your friends. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you head out to ring in 2011.
- Have a designated driver. If you plan on traveling to a party, make sure you have a driver who will stay sober and be responsible for taking everyone home safely.
- Drop your keys. If you don’t have a designated driver, give someone your keys so you aren’t tempted to get into the car after drinking.
- Pack a bag. If you plan to party hard and/or late, bring an overnight bag so that you are prepared to sleep over until you are sober and alert enough to drive home. In fact, make it part of your plans and everyone will sleep better.
- Use public transportation. Most cities with public transportation systems will have more buses and trains running throughout New Year’s Eve to help party-goers get home safely.
- Walking isn’t safer. You aren’t necessarily safer if you decide to hoof it after a few drinks instead of getting behind the wheel. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the first day of the New Year has the highest amount of pedestrians killed than any other day throughout the year. If you must walk, go in a group and wear visible clothing, so that drivers can see you.
- Know where your children are. We’ve all heard that TV ad that says: “It’s 10 p.m., do you know where your children are?” Make sure you keep tabs on your children if they are going to be out with friends this New Year’s. Coordinate with other parents to transport children home from parties and make sure they know the rules on drinking and driving.
- Coffee isn’t the cure. It’s a myth that coffee can help sober you up. Only time can do that, so stay put until you recover.
Source: Consumer Reports
In Broward County Zingo Designated Drivers can be hired for a small fee. Learn more about Drinking and Driving Prevention as well as finding designated drivers - click here.
AAA Auto Club South and Anheuser-Busch, Inc. are joining hands to provide “Tow to Go” to provide a confidential ride home and tow, free of charge, to anyone who may have had too much to drink by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP (4357) in Florida and Georgia.
Be an educated parent, you will have a safer family.
Comments