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Holiday Safety
Impaired driving is a problem that affects the entire
nation. However, its consequences are
experienced primarily at the local level – with family, friends, neighbors,
co-workers, and others. Therefore,
local communities must take a leading role in addressing this national issue. Impairment can begin with one alcoholic
drink – whether it is liquor, wine, beer or wine coolers. Studies show that even one drink begins to
decrease a person’s ability to react quickly, which could prove fatal when
behind the wheel. Alcohol-related crashes
are an issue throughout the year, but become a larger concern on holidays,
such as the Fourth of July when people are celebrating. Many people go to the beaches to swim,
boat, or simply “hang-out.” Others
stay home and participate in the local celebrations such as fireworks and
cookouts. These activities typically
involve favorite summertime foods and beverages. This e-newsletter includes some facts about
the effect alcohol has had on society to make us more aware. We hope these help everyone to have a fun
and safe holiday.
Safety Tips: What you can do to protect yourself and others.
- If
you drink, be responsible: don’t drive.
- When
with a group, choose a designated driver – at the beginning of the
celebration. Having one person
agree to drink only non-alcoholic beverages and provide transportation
for other members of the group can save lives.
Being a Good Host:
- Provide
plenty of non-alcoholic beverages.
- Do
not pressure guests to drink alcohol.
- Serve
plenty of food to slow the rate of absorption of alcohol.
- Stop
serving alcohol at least one hour before the party is over.
- If a
guest has too much to drink, call a cab or arrange a ride with a sober
driver.
Fireworks Safety:
All fireworks are dangerous, especially to children. Injuries occur on and around holidays
associated with fireworks celebration, especially July 4th and New Year’s
Eve. In 2002, 8,800 people were
treated in U.S. emergency
departments for fireworks-related injuries.
Children 14 years and younger sustained 50% of injuries related to
fireworks. Children 10 to 14 years
have the highest injury rate for fireworks-related injuries. Here are some tips to help everyone use
fireworks more safely:
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
- Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
- Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully
functioned.
- Keep a bucket of
water in case of a malfunction or fire.
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- Impaired Driving-
- Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every
30 minutes. (NHTSA)
- During 2002, 17,419 people in the U.S. died in
alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, representing 41% of all
traffic-related deaths. (NHTSA)
- Male drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes are
almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated with a blood
alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10% or greater. (NHTSA)
- In 2002, 24% of drivers ages 15 to 20 that died in motor
vehicle crashes had been drinking alcohol. (NHTSA)
- In Virginia, 375
persons were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2002. (DMV)
- In 2002, 45 teenagers, aged 15 to 19, were killed in Virginia due to
alcohol-related crashes. (DMV)
- In July of 2002, 67 Virginia drivers
were killed in motor vehicle crashes, 33 were alcohol-related. (DMV)
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Funded by a grant from
Virginia Department of Motor
Vehicles
P.O. Box 27412
Richmond, VA 23269
http://www.dmv.state.va.us
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George Mason University
Center for the
Advancement of Public Health
4400
University Dr., MS1F5
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
http://www.caph.gmu.edu
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