Don’t Ruin Holidays By Driving Drunk, Drowsy or Distracted
By The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

(NHTSA) predicts this holiday
season will be one of the deadliest periods for impaired driving fatalities. More people are on the road during the holiday season – buying presents, attending holiday parties, and visiting family and friends. They are often in a hurry and sometimes impaired by drugs or alcohol.

As part of the "You Drink & Drive; You Lose." campaign, local and state officials will be out in full force from December 19 through January 4, conducting sobriety checks and saturation patrols to arrest and prosecute drunk drivers to the fullest extent of the law. Studies from the NHTSA show that the majority of Americans support increased use of enforcement efforts to protect innocent victims. The Medical Society of the State of New York, likewise, supports the early identification of impaired drivers through the more widespread use of on-the-spot testing.

There are no warnings before a serious accident, and law enforcement officers will not just issue a warning if they catch you driving drunk. The message is simple—"You drink and drive; you Lose." You can lose your license, lose time from your job, and lose money in high fines and court costs, as well as face imprisonment for repeat offenses, assault and vehicular manslaughter.

After a decade of gradual success, fatalities in alcohol-related crashes have not significantly improved nationally in the last three years. NHTSA estimates that alcohol-
related fatalities still exceed 17,400
a year. An estimated 258,000
persons were injured in crashes where police reported that alcohol was present—an average of one person injured approximately every two minutes.

Nine out of 10 Americans who
participate in social events where
alcohol is served endorse the idea of designated drivers, according to the NHTSA. Party hosts can help save lives by including alcohol-free beverages and protein-rich foods. The
medical society recommends that guests do their part by heeding the
following advice:

• If you plan to drive, do not drink. Choose a sober designated driver before partying.

• If you do drink, get home by mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a friend to drive you home, or sleepover at the party site.

• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement officers or agencies.

• Always wear your safety belt – the best defense against an impaired
driver.

A sleep-deprived or distracted
driver can also turn holiday celebrations into tragedy in a few seconds. A 2002 National Sleep Foundation poll found that half of America’s adult drivers, approximately 100 million people, drive while drowsy.

To prevent drowsy driving, the Medical Society of the State of
New York recommends these tips from the New York State Department of Health.

• On long trips, take a passenger who will stay awake while you drive.Schedule regular stops at least every two hours or every 100 miles.

• Recognize signs of fatigue, such as drifting from your lane, hitting
rumble strips, repeated yawning, difficulty keeping your eyes open, tailgating or missing road signs.

• If you feel drowsy while on the road, pull off into a safe area and take a brief nap of 15 to 45 minutes.

• Drink a caffeinated beverage to promote short-term alertness, recognizing that it takes about 30 minutes for caffeine to enter the bloodstream.

• Before traveling, get a good night’s sleep—at least 8 hours for adults and 8? -9? hours for teens.

• Turning up the radio volume and rolling down the window do NOT keep you awake. The only cure for drowsiness is sleep.

Distracted drivers are another cause of accidents; an estimated 20% to 50% of vehicle crashes each day are caused by distracted drivers, according to a study by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), a nationwide coalition of government and corporate entities working toward reducing motor vehicle crashes. Driving is a serious responsibility.

• Drive defensively, and be prepared for the unexpected. Leave at least one car’s length of space between your car and the car in front of you.

• Place any items that may be needed while driving, such as tissues or
toll money, in a safe spot within arm’s length.

• Activities such as talking on the phone, reading, personal grooming or scolding children should not be done while driving. In New York State, it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving unless it is a hands-free phone. The Medical Society of the State of New York supports "Drive Now, Talk Later" legislation.

This information is provided by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY).

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