The Dangers of the Holiday Season

Tis the season to be merry, but unfortunately, as we’re painfully reminded each year, sometimes people think too much about being merry and not enough about being safe. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) estimates that every year in the United States more than 1,000 people die between American Thanksgiving and New Years in alcohol related crashes. This is partly because of an increased intake of alcohol at this time and due to the many holiday parties that take place during this social time of year. Sadly, a joyful occasion can turn into a heartbreaking one all too fast.

A lot of drinking and driving accidents occur because people think that they’re sober enough to drive. They don’t realize the effects that even a small bit of alcohol can have on a person’s system and so they get behind the wheel with slower reflexes and impaired mental faculties. Unfortunately, this action makes them put their own life plus the lives of others at risk.

And, in an effort to continue our goal of making roads safer for everyone, CAA North & East Ontario will once again be assisting the Ottawa Police in removing impaired drivers from the road. The Club, through its partnerships with the City of Ottawa’s Integrated Road Safety Program and Police departments, will be co-sponsoring four winter corporate Ottawa R.I.D.E. programs, which will be taking place December 5, 6, 12 & 13.
That said, keeping yourself, your friends, your family and your fellow man should be a top priority this holiday season.  This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t enjoy the holiday festivities, but rather you should put thought into the transportation you’re going to use to get to and from the parties you plan to attend.

Tips for a Safe and Secure Holiday Season

• Make sure to decide on a designated driver before arriving at your party or event. Getting to the gathering and trying to decide can lead to confusion and the possibility that no one remains sober, which can lead to an impaired person thinking he/she is fine to get behind the wheel. Make your arrangements beforehand.

• If you’re hosting a holiday bash, set the rules for drinking and driving. If you see someone drinking heavily, collect their keys from them and either offer a place to sleep or a safe ride home.

• Educate your friends and families on the risks associated with drinking and driving. Set an example in your own home and adopt a no tolerance stance to the issue.

• Make your feelings known to your children. Sometimes kids will get in the car with someone they know is impaired because they don’t want to risk waking their parents up for a ride home. Let them know that it is always safe for them to call you especially if their friends have been drinking.

• If possible, avoid driving during the late or early morning hours on Christmas of New Years. Even though you may be completely sober, unfortunately not everyone else is, so it’s best to avoid these particularly risky times.

• Report any drunk driving that you see. If possible, try and get the make, model and license plate of the car and the intersection that you’ve seen the suspicious driving. Pull your car safely over and call 911. You’ll be doing the impaired driver and every other motorist out on the road a huge favour.

This holiday season, have fun and be social, but don’t forget to be smart. Either get a designated driver, arrange a safe ride home or don’t drink.

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