Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 51 minutes. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $59 billion. Thankfully, there are effective measures that can help prevent injuries and deaths from alcohol-impaired driving. In 2015, Bismarck has had 59 alcohol related motor vehicle crashes. 479 drivers have been arrested for DUI/APC.
Whenever your social plans involve alcohol, make plans so that you don’t have to drive after drinking. Take a few minutes to make sure you and others avoid impaired driving.
When Drinking Alcohol
• Be responsible
• Choose a designated driver. Decide who's going to be doing the driving before you go out, and make sure that person doesn't drink any alcoholic beverages.
• Call a taxi. Sometimes even the designated driver slips. If nobody in your group is sober, take alternate transportation.
• Hide keys. Don't be afraid to take someone's car keys. If the person gets angry, it's probably proof you're doing the right thing.
When Throwing a Party
• Offer non-alcoholic beverages. Give your guests plenty of alternatives. Never pressure guests to drink alcohol.
• Serve plenty of food. A full stomach can slow the rate of alcohol absorption. Serve a great meal or have plenty of appetizers on hand.
• Stop serving alcohol well before the party ends. Give your guests an extra hour or two without alcohol before they head out the door.
• Arrange alternate transportation. Pay attention to your guests' alcohol intake and behavior. If someone has had a lot to drink or seems even the slightest bit tipsy, call a cab or set up a ride.
• Never serve minors.
If you see an impaired driver on the road you can report this to law enforcement by phoning 911.
Some things to look for when detecting impaired drivers are; problems maintaining lane position, speed and braking problems, driving in the wrong lane or the wrong way on a one way, driving without headlights at night, failure to signal and judgement problems. Working together, we can help keep people safe on the road – every day.