Lifestyles

Save Lives: Pledge To Not Drink And Drive

Posted: 1/21/2011

As many as 98 percent of drivers consider it unacceptable for anyone to get behind the wheel when the person thinks he or she has had too much to drink.

(NAPSI) - If you’re like 90 percent of drivers, you recognize that your personal safety is at risk because of drivers impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

What The Numbers Show

You’ve got good reason, as the statistics indicate:

• Every day, 32 people in the United States die in traffic crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver.

• Alcohol-impaired drivers contribute to about one out of every three traffic deaths each year.

• An average of one alcohol-impaired driving death occurs every 45 minutes.

What You Can Do

Fortunately, there is something you can do to keep yourself and your family safe. Join AAA at www.TakeThePledge.AAA.com and commit to driving only while drug and alcohol free.

• Plan ahead and designate a nondrinking driver before any party or celebration begins.

• Never get behind the wheel of a car when you’ve been drinking alcohol-even after just one drink.

• Do not hesitate to take the keys from friends or family members who may be impaired.

• Be a real friend: Call a taxi for those in need.

Be a responsible host in reminding guests to stay safe and always offering alcohol-free beverages.

What Others Are Doing

Log on to TakeThePledge.AAA.com, where you can sign a pledge to support a culture of zero tolerance for impaired driving and easily spread the word to family and friends via Facebook, Twitter and Take the Pledge e-cards. AAA launched the new public awareness initiative in response to feedback from its members-representing one in every four households-who cite impaired driving as their greatest safety concern.

Where To Learn More

The website at www.TakeThePledge.AAA.com serves not only as a gateway for people to publicly commit to the fight against impaired driving, but offers prevention awareness tips, up-to-date statistics and related news stories in an effort to help people drive responsibly.