Ignition Interlock Help

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28 People Die Each Day Due to Drunk Drivers

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that each day in the U.S., 28 people are killed by a drunk driver. The statistics that are reported by MADD and other agencies and organizations may not be startling, but, once a person is directly affected by a drunk driver, the numbers become personal and the senseless nature of these crimes becomes evident.

With 21 states now requiring the mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices for first-time DUI/DWI offenders, there is clearly a growing acknowledgement of the problem drunk driving creates for everyone. These devices continue to stop repeat drunk driving offenders from causing harm or death to loved ones, and the results are safer streets and less tragic headlines for us all.

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Everyone knows that you shouldn’t drive when you’ve been drinking. But how much is too much?

Even after a night of drinking many drivers say they feel fine enough to get behind the wheel of a car. However, even with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 your chances of being in a fatal accident increase by 11 times. That is an accident that someone will not be walking away from. So before you get behind the wheel of a car, even if you “feel fine,” think about the possible consequences. Is not calling a cab really worth your life or the life of another person? And remember, time is the only true way to sober up. No quick fix such as a cup of coffee or a cold shower is going to help you be a more competent driver.

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Many parents believe that letting children try alcohol at a young age removes the temptation to drink in the teen years. The belief is that if kids are not taught that alcohol is forbidden then the incentive to drink illegally will be lessened. However, research has proven that this is not the case.

According to MADD, almost one in three eighth graders has tried alcohol. A recent study shows that kids who try alcohol before age 15 are six times more likely to develop alcohol problems. Kids who try alcohol at a younger age are at a higher risk for alcohol-related problems later on in life.  

Each year about 5,000 young people die as a result of underage drinking. About 1,900 of those deaths involve motor vehicle crashes. Children who try alcohol at a young age are at an increased risk of developing alcoholism and being charged with a DUI later on in life.

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Children are the most innocent victims of drunk drivers in the U.S., and have no voice to prevent their own injury or harm if an adult has been drinking before driving. With current efforts focused on reducing the number of drunk drivers on the road, there is hope that all children are safe from the devastating effects of a person who has consumed alcohol prior to driving. However, it is imperative that we all understand the dangers a child faces, and speak up on their behalf. 

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Driving while distracted can be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence of alcohol. In the time it takes to check a text message on a phone, a driver has been driving just about the length of a football field without paying attention to the road. Imagine the consequences.

The top distractions while driving may vary, but, there are definitely some that stand out. Eating and drinking while driving, being tired, texting, tending to children or pets and paying more attention to the car on the side of the road than the car in front of you.

Always remember to drive safely and eliminate any distractions possible. Your safety, the safety of your passengers and others on the road is much more important than that text message, burger or hot cup of coffee.

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There is nothing like the countdown until midnight, when we celebrate with our friends and family and say goodbye to the year behind us. With parties and gatherings in full swing on New Years Eve, it can be easy to get caught up in the moment and overindulge in alcohol.

Before you head out for the last hurrah of 2013, make sure you know how much you can drink before driving, or have a plan in place to arrive home safely. The same people you are celebrating with will thank you, and you will all have many more toasts to look forward to in the coming years.

Happy New Year!

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Celebrating the holiday season at home, office parties or even at bars comes with a lot of responsibility for anyone who is drinking alcohol. As December is National Impaired Driver Awareness Month, we are all reminded that not only are there more cars on the road during the holidays, but, that the chances to drive drunk rise with the festive feeling of the season. 

Remember that by driving sober, you are helping to keep the "happy" in everyone's holidays this year.

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Designated drivers come in many forms, from a best friend at a party to a public service on long holiday weekends. These men and women are devoted to keeping the streets safe from dangerous drunk drivers, and are making an impact in the lives of everyone.

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In many states, one of the conditions that are applied to receiving a driver's license is that the driver cannot refuse to be tested if suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. These "no refusal" laws are not only effective in removing drunk drivers from the road, but, they also allow the prosecution of DUI/DWI crimes a more streamlined process that can result in the installation of ignition interlock devices in an offender's vehicle.

"No refusal" means that if a driver refuses to be tested for DUI/DWI, he or she can be subjected to an immediate revocation of a driver's license, as well as increased jail time, contempt of court charges and more. In states with strict "no refusal" laws, the rate of fatalities attributed to drunk drivers have been reduced significantly.

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Nobody likes being stuck in traffic, and those pesky stop lights are only the beginning. What about being stuck behind a driver who has been drinking, putting your life at risk, or the lives of your family, friends and loved ones?

The "green light" for safe driving can include several different habits and behaviors that many of us take for granted. While using a seat belt and ignoring text messages or phone calls while driving may seem like common sense, somehow, people take the chance to do just that, and more. A convicted drunk driver has driven under the influence of alcohol an estimated 80 times before being caught, choosing to "green light" behaviors that put us all at risk. 

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When looking at drinking from the perspective of a role model, most people acknowledge that the role of an adult in the life of a child is to set a good example. Role models for kids come in many forms, from teachers, professional athletes and police officers to doctors and parents, and each has a responsibility to be an example of good behavior in the face of drinking and driving.

Public awareness campaigns typically focus on the destruction that an alcohol-related vehicle accident can create, and programs like DARE are able to reach kids and teens and warn them of the full range of dangers when it comes to alcohol or drugs. However, it is perhaps the day-to-day example of a parent or caregiver that has the most impact on a child’s choice to drink and drive. By being a stellar example of sober driving, you are not only keeping your own community safe, but you are showing the next generation how to choose wisely when it comes to drinking and driving.

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When it comes to driving, there may not be anything better than cruising down the street, blasting a favorite tune and singing along. In terms of driving safety, listening to music can have a calming effect on a person, help focus on the road ahead and be a great way to detox from a hard day's work. Music can also be a distraction, causing accidents for everyone, but the combination of music and drinking and driving can have even worse consequences.

The type of music you prefer could define a proclivity for drinking in driving. A recent kanetix.ca survey has shown that people who listen to country music or classic rock are more likely to be charged with a DUI than those who listen to pop music or alternative rock. This study has also indicated several other factors that connect music to various traffic violations, including speeding, careless driving and more.

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Drinking and driving is a serious crime that has a wide range of consequences. Many people are unaware of the amount of alcohol they have consumed, and whether they are safe to drive even after "just a couple" of drinks. 

With the legal blood alcohol concentration set at .08% across the United States, it is important to know how many drinks a person can consume and still be considered "safe" to drive. While some say that it is unsafe to drive after any amount of alcohol, keeping track of the drinks consumed can allow a person to return home without any fear of an alcohol-related accident.

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How Safe is Your Drive?

It is estimated that before a person is convicted of drinking and driving, he or she has driven a vehicle under the influence of alcohol around 80 times. That statistic should be enough to illustrate the problem of driving drunk and how prevention programs and deterrents like ignition interlock devices are so important to our safety.

However, even after a driver has been convicted of a DUI or DWI, many states do not require mandatory ignition interlock installations on their vehicles. Of those who have been convicted of drinking and driving and have had a driver’s license suspended, 50-70% will continue to drive as normal: whether to work, to the grocery store, or after a night of drinking. These repeat offenders put people in danger before a conviction, and will continue to do so without the support of programs and incentives that take away the choice to drive while intoxicated.

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Catching a buzz with friends at a bar is considered a normal way for adults to unwind after a rough day at work. Drinking just a few beers at a party helps liven up the mood, and while many people can understand the difference between a “buzz” and being drunk, there are still consequences when it comes to drinking any amount of alcohol.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently announced a sobering statistic about driving while buzzed. In 2011, 14% of children killed in an alcohol-related accident at the “buzzed” level were not even riding in a vehicle, they were on bicycles or walking. When it comes to keeping the roads safe by remaining sober when driving, the facts show that the most innocent of victims are in danger, even as they are riding bicycles or walking in their own neighborhoods. 

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Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB). These changes are based upon a lower rate of alcohol-related fatalities in other countries with a BAC limit of .05%.

The .05% BAC level can be achieved fairly quickly. Experts estimate that for a female, it could take as little as one drink in an hour to reach the newly recommended limit, while men can be considered too drunk to drive after as few as two drinks in an hour. 

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Cinco de Mayo is an annual time for fun and celebrations across the U.S. and Mexico. This holiday has become increasingly popular since the 1980s when beer manufacturers began promoting it as a day for drinking. Unfortunately, the fun of the day has also been marked by some chilling statistics when it comes to drinking and driving.

According to NHTSA, in 2011, 35% of motor vehicle operators (including motorcycles) involved in a fatal vehicle accident were tested at .08% BAC or higher. 80% of these fatalities involved drivers that tested at .15%, almost twice the legal limit. Be safe this weekend!