The More You Know

SAFE DRIVING

"It's small, but a cell phone is one of the biggest obstacles you can come across on the road. Hang up and drive." - Ann Curry, NBC News

What You Should Know...

Over the past decade, there have been an average of 37,000 fatal motor vehicle accidents on American roads each year. In the U.S., driving is considered a privilege - not a right - and law enforcement officials have the authority to strip individuals of this opportunity. Taking the necessary precautions behind the wheel can prevent very serious and sometimes fatal consequences.

Cell Phones

On the open road, there are plenty of distractions that can inhibit a person's ability to drive safely. Nearly 80% of motor vehicle accidents occur when a driver loses attention within three seconds before the crash. Safe driving requires the full attention of one's mind and body, and cell phones present a huge risk to this task.

Drivers should be aware that talking and texting while driving is dangerous. Five states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington) and the District of Columbia have implemented laws that prohibit driving while talking on handheld cell phones; four states (Alaska, Minnesota, New Jersey and Washington) have enacted similar texting laws. Individuals should keep in mind that even headsets and hands-free mobile systems may impair one's capacity to drive. In the case of an emergency, drivers should safely pull to the side of the road before using their cell phones to talk or text.

Drinking & Driving

Alcohol-related accidents involve a driver or pedestrian who has a measurable amount of alcohol in his or her blood. These accidents kill someone every 31 minutes and injure another every two minutes. In 2006 alone, alcohol was involved in 41% of crash fatalities. Drunk driving costs taxpayers about $51 billion and takes over 17,000 lives each year.

In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.08%. The BAC percentage is the weight of alcohol (in milligrams) per 100 milliliters of blood. As alcohol enters the body, it is absorbed by the stomach and small intestine and eventually reaches the bloodstream, which carries it throughout the body.

It usually takes anywhere from 30 to 70 minutes to measure alcohol consumption in the body. The more a person drinks, the higher the BAC level; yet those who drink faster will reach a higher BAC than those who drink over a longer period of time. Factors like weight and gender also affect a person's BAC. Alcohol usually stays in women longer than men, while those who weigh more usually have a lower BAC level because more water is present in the body.

Different people have varying tolerances for alcohol. While a certain amount may cause one person to be overtly drunk, another individual may only become "buzzed." Oftentimes, buzzed drivers do not consider themselves a hazard on the road, even though statistics show that their behavior can be just as dangerous as drunk drivers. People in a "tipsy" state still experience the effects of alcohol on their body and should not get behind the wheel.

In addition to BAC regulations, all states have a zero tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21, as the risk of alcohol-related accidents is greater for teens than adults. In 2005, 23% of drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 who died in car crashes had a BAC of at least 0.08%. In addition, men ages 18-20 reported driving under the influence more frequently than any other age group.

Safety Belts

Seat belts are the oldest form of occupant protection and a vital source of security in motor vehicle incidents. Being properly restrained can reduce the risk of death and serious injury by up to 50% for front-seat occupants. In 2006, 14,000 who died in traffic crashes were not wearing safety belts. Though the rate of drivers who use seat belts has increased within the past few years as a result of strict enforcement, the issue continues to be a matter of concern in traffic safety regulation. Nearly every state now has some type of seat belt legislation. 26 states have primary laws, which allow law enforcement officials to pull over motorists solely for not wearing a seat belt. Penalties for non-use vary from jurisdiction and depend on age and seating position of the violator. Harsher penalties can include fines up to $200 for a first time offense. If everyone exercised appropriate protection, thousands of lives would be saved each year.

What You Can Do...

While local law enforcement teams monitor the roads in order to prevent motor vehicle injuries, prevention is the responsibility of each individual. By taking simple precautions, you can help make the roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians.

Buckle up
Always wear your safety belt, and be sure to wear it correctly. The strap should go over your shoulder and across your lap.

Steer clear of road rage
Road rage is a criminal offense. Maintain your cool on the road and treat other drivers with respect and courtesy.

Drop the call
Put down the phone while driving. Wait to respond to calls and texts until your car is safely idled.

Check for security
When shopping for a new car, consider models that offer extensive safety features, which provide added security for you and your passengers.

Don't drive while snacking
Eating and drinking while driving is distracting and may cause an accident.

Don't drive tired
If you're tired, pull over to the nearest safe place and take a break.

Don't drive drunk
Every person who has injured another in a drunk-driving accident failed to take this message seriously. Don't be another statistic.

Don't drive buzzed
Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Do not get behind the wheel if you are feeling "tipsy".

Use good judgment
Never get into a car with a drunk driver. Ask a friend or call a cab to bring you home.

Plan ahead
Designate a driver at the beginning of the night. By appointing a designated driver, everyone is always assured a safe ride home.

Keep others safe
Never let a friend drive home drunk. Take their keys, have them stay the night, call a cab - do whatever you can to keep them off the road.

Be a good host
Serve food and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Don't let guests drive after they have been drinking.

Be a good citizen
Report drunk drivers on the road to law enforcement officials and keep a safe distance from them on the road. Signs of drunk driving include weaving, straddling the center line, tailgating and wide turns.

Don't mix
Never mix alcohol with prescription drugs without clearing it with your doctor first.

To Know More...

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
www.stopimpaireddriving.org