Global Influence Buzzed Driving St. Patrick’s Day Campaign

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s not the luck of the Irish that will keep the roads safe – it’s planning ahead for a safe and sober way home.

For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out for drinking and celebrating with friends and family.  Unfortunately, some of these people might also be driving home from their festivities and therefore, the night out has also become potentially dangerous.

On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Thank you for offering to help spread the word!  Global Influence members have been helping to change the world for more than two years, and these messages are among the most important.

Let’s remind everyone about the importance of remembering to:

• Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before you leave for your event.
• Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi. Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

Even if you will not be celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day, keep in mind that in 2009, 1,119 occupants of other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, so pay attention to others on the road.  And remember, you don’t have to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to drive safely. Even a few drinks can impair driving…and a buzzed driving crash has the same consequences as a drunk driving crash.

NHTSA needs your help in keeping the roads safe for everyone this St. Patrick’s Day by spreading the word that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

To learn more about the impact buzzed driving can have on a life, please consider posting the attached poster to your blog or even your Facebook wall. And we can also ask our readers to follow Buzzed Driving on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Don’t rely on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

Teen Drinking: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

It the holidays. Parties, celebrating and simply having fun.  All of this is fantastic, but you have to remember that being safe is a priority.  Drunk or impaired driving killed nearly 12,000 people in 2008.  That's one person every 45 minutes. That makes it everyone's problem.

Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Getting behind the wheel after even just one too many drinks can lead to disaster.

Show your support to end buzzed driving by pledging to make good decisions by not driving under the influence of alcohol.

Take the time to share the pledge with others and with your help, we can end buzzed driving.

Underage drinking is a major concern, not only for parents of these teens, but for the risk it puts drivers at.  Parents need to set an example to their teens as well as talk to them about the dangers of drinking and driving.  Even if it is only one or two drinks - driving is a major responsibility and not one to be taken lightly.
This is not about not having fun and celebrating the holidays with friends and family, this is about having a designated driver.

Send a Holiday Buzzed eCard to your friends today!  Help spread the word to stay safe this holiday season.
Zingo Fort Lauderdale, a fully insured designated driving service available in nearly two dozen markets nationwide, recently began offering services for residents and visitors alike across Broward County.
Are you outside of Broward County, visit Drinking and Driving Prevention.

Be an educated parent, you will have safer teens!

Read more.

Sue Scheff: Drunk Driving Prevention

New Year's Eve is this week! During the holiday season the increase in drunk driving is a major concern. What many don't think about is buzzed driving harms the same way drunk driving does.

Here are some tips to prevent drunk driving during New Year's Eve from eHow.com:

Step 1: Plan ahead. Discuss with your friends a plan for all of you to return home safely. You can pick a designated driver, arrange for someone who has not been drinking to pick you up or plan to use public transportation or a cab. Arrange to pick up the car the following day.
Step 2: Drive home a friend who has had too much to drink. That way you will know that your friend did not accept a ride from a stranger, drive herself or otherwise risk her life and the lives of others.
Step 3: Invite the person who has had too much to drink to sleep over. He won't have to return for his car the next day, and everyone remains safe.
Step 4: Take the keys. Be calm and firm, but be certain to take the keys away from anyone who drinks too much and intends to drive. You can be proactive and take the keys early in the evening. If the person is sober, you can easily give back her keys.
Step 5: If you don't know the person well, enlist help in getting the keys. Ask a bartender for help. Many bars have plans in place to deal with drivers who drink too much, especially on New Year's Eve. Do not hesitate to ask a friend, a host or a family member for assistance.

Tips & Warnings

Remember the saying, "Friends don't let friends drink and drive." (or buzzed!)

Don't take a chance that lack of action on your part might make it possible for an accident to occur.

Do not rely on someone's physical appearance to determine her state of intoxication.

In some communities, you may be legally liable if an accident occurs as the result of someone drinking too much alcohol that was provided by you.

Take the pledge to eliminate drunk driving. Visit MADD.

Remember, Buzzed Driving is drunk driving! Watch video.

Have a safe and healthy New Year!

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