Holiday season is filled with many choices, make sure yours is to drive sober

We are surrounded by choices every day, and this time of year is no different. Do we get Sally an engineering kit or the Wonder Woman action figure she always wanted? Does Billy get a Transformers toy, or a tool kit? The results can make happy memories that we can cherish throughout the year. Another choice people face is whether to get behind the wheel after drinking, which can create devastating memories.  

This holiday season The Kansas Department of Transportation is teaming up with the state and local law enforcement officers and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind all drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving. We’ll be working together to remind everyone of the importance of planning a sober ride home before heading out to enjoy the holiday festivities and en route to seasonal travel destinations. This holiday season, and every day, remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

According to NHTSA, 37,133 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2017, and 29% (10,874) of those fatalities occurred in crashes during which a driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit of .08. In fact, 885 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver during the month of December 2017 alone. The holidays prove to be extra dangerous to drivers, as more people — drivers and pedestrians alike — are out on the roads.

In Kansas, around 400 lives are lost each year in traffic crashes, which is more than one per day.

“Of these 400 fatalities, about 1 in 4 are the result of an impaired driver,” Julie Lorenz, Kansas Secretary of Transportation said. “That equates to about 100 persons losing their lives on Kansas roads due to an impaired driver. Beyond the tragic loss of more than 100 people each year, we must consider the countless other lives impacted by this preventable action. These fatalities have a ripple effect, impacting family, friends, coworkers and loved ones.”

Drunk driving isn’t the only risk on the road: Drug-impaired driving is an increasing problem, for men and for women alike. If drivers are impaired by any substance — alcohol or other drugs — they should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle. It is illegal in all states to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. Remember: Driving while impaired is illegal, period. The bottom line is this: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. It’s that simple.

Drinking and driving should never be combined. It’s essential to plan a sober ride in advance if the holiday celebration will include alcohol. The alternative could change your life, not to mention the lives of your passengers, of pedestrians, or of other drivers and passengers nearby.

This holiday season, KDOT, local law enforcement and NHTSA urge drivers to designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening. If you plan on drinking, plan on not driving.

Party with a Plan

First and foremost: Plan ahead. Be honest with yourself: You know whether you’ll be drinking. If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously — your friends are relying on you.

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
• If available, use your community’s sober ride program
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement.
• Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

“The decision to drive impaired is a choice and the wrong choice can be a fatal result,” Lorenz said.  “Wear a seat belt, buckle up every time, so you can get home to your family and friends.
The celebrations and the love and warmth is waiting there for you.”

Kansas Law Enforcement warns: Don’t drink and drive

Impaired drivers to be tested during “No Refusal Weekend”

Topeka, KS - As the summer season concludes over the next few weeks, Kansas law enforcement will be doing all they can to keep the roads safe from impaired drivers. Beginning on Aug. 14 and through the Labor Day weekend, more than 150 law enforcement agencies from across the state will join forces in a concentrated effort detecting and removing the impaired driver.

This year’s campaign includes a No Refusal Weekend, Aug. 16 – 17, when all suspected impaired drivers who refuse breath testing may be subject to blood testing for alcohol and/or drugs. This No Refusal Weekend, law enforcement officials may work in coordination with prosecutors to obtain blood draw warrants for drivers who refuse breath and/or drug testing. No Refusal programs help ensure that prosecutors obtain the scientific evidence needed to effectively prosecute cases involving impaired driving.

“My hope is there are no impaired driving crashes or fatalities in the state of Kansas,” said Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Herman Jones.  “Make the right decision, don’t get behind the wheel impaired. The impaired driver makes the choice to endanger themselves and everyone else on the road.”

According to the National Safety Council, 40 percent of car fatalities occur in the summer months. The Labor Day holiday brings increased traffic and unfortunately, a higher-than-normal number of deaths related to impaired drivers on the road. On average, impaired drivers cause about one-third of all traffic fatalities in Kansas. Across Kansas, impaired drivers injure or kill more than 2,200 people each year in car crashes.

“We want everyone’s summer to end on a high note and not in a senseless death that is 100 percent preventable,” said Chris Bortz, Kansas Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Program Manager. “Law enforcement will be vigilant in their efforts to keep everyone safe, but everyone has a personal responsibility in this effort; not just law enforcement.”

The 22-day enforcement campaign will be supported with statewide education and on-the-street vigilance by law enforcement.  This year’s campaign reinforces that no excuse is a good excuse for driving impaired. Designate before you celebrate, use a ride sharing service or get a ride from a sober friend are just a few ways to get home safely.

Impaired drivers can face jail time, suspension of their driving privileges, fines and other costs of up to $10,000. In addition, the offender will be required to install and pay monthly services fees on an ignition interlock. Beyond the financial and legal penalties, impaired drivers face the risk of losing their own lives or taking someone else’s.

Arrive alive: Make the choice to drive responsibly

The turkey is cooking, the various dishes and desserts are set out on the table and awaiting the feast, which means it is Thanksgiving! Laughter from family and friends can be heard in millions of homes across America on this particular day. 

It’s one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, and for many, Thanksgiving is a time for celebration. But before anyone can gather around the table for food or fun, we all need to do one basic thing: arrive alive.  
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the day before Thanksgiving, or “Thanksgiving Eve,” has statistically become one of the deadliest days of the year on the roads. 
In the past five years, more than 800 people have been killed in drunk driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period. In 2016, one-third of all traffic fatalities during this time involved crashes related to drunk driving.

One crash related to drunk driving is too many. This year, make the choice to find another way to your destination:

• Call a friend or loved one to pick you up.
• Let someone else drive you home, use a rideshare program or call a taxi.
• Take advantage of public transportation.
• Wait until you are completely sober before getting behind the wheel. It is better to be safe than sorry. 

A grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation will pay for the extra overtime for law enforcement across the state of Kansas this week. Officers will be on the lookout for drivers who are operating a vehicle while under the influence. This year, buckle up, obey the speed limit and drive responsibly. You and your family will be thankful you did.

Summer travel safety reminders

Due to the Fourth of July holiday, this weekend and early next week will consist of some of the busiest travel days of the year. If you and your loved ones will be traveling this weekend, or at any time during the summer, it is always best to be prepared for the unexpected. Stash a summer emergency kit in your car.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Red Cross have some great recommendations for assembling your summer road trip emergency safety kit.

Water	Non-perishable foods
Insurance papers	Medical Prescriptions and list of medications
Map	Spare keys for car and house
Blankets	Spare tire
Coolant	Brake fluid
Motor oil	Windshield washer fluid
First-Aid Kit	Flashlight
Mobile phone and charger	Fuel
Battery-powered radio	Tool box
Duct tape	Paper towels
Jumper cables	Tow rope or chain
Jack – if you need to change a tire	garbage bags
Umbrella	Rain poncho
Jumper Cables

Seat belt fine increase:
KDOT reminds motorists of the new seatbelt fine that will be implemented this Saturday, July 1, at midnight. The fine for a person 18 years and older who is not wearing a seatbelt increases from $10 to $30 per person. For each violation of a city ordinance, $20 from each $30 fine will be directed to the Seat Belt Safety Fund. The bill also directs 2.2 percent of all fines, penalties and forfeitures received from clerks of the district court to the Seat Belt Safety Fund.

The money received for the Seat Belt Safety Fund will be used for the promotion and education of occupant protection among children, including, but not limited to, school programs in the state of Kansas, such as Seat Belts Are for Everyone.

Alcohol, fireworks and driving don’t mix:
If drinking will be part of your Fourth of July weekend plans, remember to designate a sober driver. Never get behind the wheel even if you are just a little buzzed. Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Don’t let a celebration turn into a tragedy.

Don't press your luck! This St. Patrick's Day, plan before you party

St. Patrick ’s Day is widely celebrated across the country and can be really fun. But that fun brings a dangerous side effect: Drunk driving. On this holiday, more drunk drivers are likely to drive on roadways.

In fact, the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period from 2011-2015 saw the loss of 252 lives due to drunk-driving crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2015, 30 people were killed in drunk driving crashes over this holiday period.

After consuming alcohol there is no such thing as being, “OK to drive.” Just one or two beverages can impair your judgement and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk—or worse. Nothing is worth putting your own and other lives at risk by drinking and driving.

Planning ahead is the key to staying safe after you’ve been drinking. Before the party begins, make a plan for how to get home safely. 

Most drivers aren’t leprechauns and don’t have a pot of gold on hand to pay for a DUI. The average DUI can cost $10,000. You’ll save more money if you use public transportation, or get a ride home from a friend.

The decision is up to you, whether you drink or you drive - but you can’t do both. Help those around you be responsible party goers as well. Walking while intoxicated can also bring bad luck as lack of attention and coordination puts you at risk of getting struck by a vehicle. If you know someone who has been drinking, take away their keys and help them find a safe ride home.

During this holiday, remember that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. 

Drinking and driving unwise game plan

Football fans across the country prepare for America’s most watched sporting event, Super Bowl LI on Sunday.  Many of them will choose to celebrate with a few alcoholic beverages.

This year, The Kansas Department of Transportation has a message for this year’s Super Bowl Sunday: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

“The Super Bowl is its own holiday,” said Chris Bortz, KDOT Traffic Safety Manager, in the agency’s press release. “Designate before you celebrate. Don’t let a day of fun turn into a DUI or worse.”

KDOT and The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are teaming up to provide you with a solid game plan to ensure a safe and fun viewing party without any  fumbles.

If you plan to drink:

Don’t drive. Before you ever leave the house, designate someone who will not be drinking and who can drive you home.  Have a backup plan in case they drop the ball. Call your local cab or transportation company, ridesharing service, or a friend who you can count on. Leave your car keys at home.

If you plan to drive:

You are basically the quarterback. Your teammates are relying on you to make good choices. Don’t drink and get your buddies home safely. Don’t forget to remind your passengers to buckle up and listen to your own advice.

Be on the lookout for other people who may not have a ride. Fans don’t let fans drive drink.

If you are hosting your own party:

You are the coach of the team! You want your friends to have fun while watching the big game? Designate your own sober driver to help ensure your guests get home. Or ask your guests if they have one of their own.

Serve a selection of drinks that don’t contain alcohol. Never serve alcohol to minors. If an underage person drinks or drives, the person who served the alcohol can be held liable for any damage, injury, or death caused by that driver. You could even face jail time.

Encourage those that do consume alcohol to eat plenty of food and drink water.

Know the risks:

Just as football players realize that the sport they play can be dangerous, you should know the risks if you decide to drink. Impaired driving is dangerous and the consequences are serious. Don’t become another statistic.

Remember:

You drink you drive you lose.

Don't lose your head this Halloween

 

Monsters, ghouls and witches will be celebrating this Halloween weekend and KDOT wants to remind all creatures of the night that driving under the influence can have deadly consequences. 

On Halloween night between 2009 and 2013, 119 people were killed by drunk drivers and 43 percent of all motor vehicle deaths involved drunk driving.

In America, anyone driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter or higher is considered a drunk driver.

You can have a howling good time and stay safe if you follow these tips:

• Before you begin drinking, make a plan to get home safely. Studies have shown alcohol makes it harder to judge situations. You may not be able to make wise decisions later in the night.
• Make sure you have a designated driver, public transportation or a sober friend or relative to you get home safely.
• Even if you have only had a few drinks, it is still unsafe to drive.
• If your community has a sober ride program, use it.
• Contact your local law enforcement if you spot an impaired driver on the road.
• If you see someone who is thinking about driving impaired, take their keys and offer to help them find a safe way home.
• If you think you can walk home while drunk, think again. It can be just as dangerous as if you were driving. If you must walk home, ask someone you trust to walk with you.