The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges everyone to be extra careful this weekend as some folks like to celebrate “Cinco de Mayo” and that can often lead to “buzzed driving” which is in reality “drunk driving”.
We wanted to join NHTSA in reminding everyone that not only is it illegal to drink and drive, but the consequences can be disastrous, turning a fun celebration into a devastating night.
Sobering Facts from NHTSA:
From 2007 to 2011, 38 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities that occurred each year around May 5th involved alcohol-impaired drivers or motorcycle operators with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 and above, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)- During the 2011 Cinco de Mayo holiday alone, 35 percent of motor vehicle fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC of .08 and above. And unfortunately, 80 percent of the alcohol impaired fatalities involved a driver or motorcycle operator with nearly twice the legal limit of .15.
- Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Law enforcement officers will be on high alert for drunk drivers during the Cinco de Mayo time period.
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In 2011, more than 32,000 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States. Of those fatalities, 31 percent involved a driver or motorcycle operator that was alcohol-impaired.
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Death and injuries are not the only consequences from impaired driving. Violators often face jail time, loss of their driver’s license and it could cost up to $10,000 in legal fees, fines, and result in higher insurance rates.
Tips from NHTSA — Plan Ahead to See Seis de Mayo:
- If your Cinco de Mayo celebration includes alcohol, make a plan before the festivities begin to ensure you arrive home safely.
- Designate your sober driver before the party begins.
- If you’ve been drinking, never get behind the wheel. Use public transportation, call a cab or someone who can drive you
If you know someone who is about to drive or ride with an impaired driver, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.- If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement—you could save a life.
- By planning ahead, you will make sure you and others live to see, and enjoy, Seis de Mayo.
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