Feature
December
29
Campaign Launches, Targets Drinking and Driving
Provided by Louisiana Highway Safety Commission
Perhaps more than any other national holiday, New Year’s Eve celebrations often involve alcohol consumption. For this reason, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission urges all celebrants to designate a non-drinking driver before starting to party during New Year’s festivities.
For the first time in many years, no one was killed as a result of a crash along a Louisiana highway during last year’s New Year’s holiday; however, an average of 5.5 people died in crashes between 2001 and 2010, and alcohol played a role in the majority of those fatal crashes.
“We’re definitely making progress in highway safety, and we believe efforts such as the designated driver program are contributing to these improvements,” said Lt. Col. John LeBlanc, executive director of the LHSC. “We are encouraging everyone who goes out New Year’s Eve and day to designate a non-drinking driver before the partying begins.”
The LHSC’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which features increased checkpoints and saturation patrols, is in effect through Jan. 2. The commission has provided grants to Louisiana State Police and dozens of local police departments and sheriffs’ offices for the campaign. The agencies use these grant funds to pay officers thousands of overtime hours dedicated to enforcing DWI laws.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following recommendations for holiday celebrants:
- Designate your sober driver before the party begins, and leave your car keys at home if you plan to drink.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic beverages.
- Do not drink unless you are age 21 or older.
- Add the number of local cab companies to your phone so they are just a touch away.
- Always buckle up—it’s your best defense on the road.
