MANSFIELD — This Labor Day weekend, families and friends will be celebrating the end of the summer. Sadly, this festive time has also become a dangerous time for America’s roads, as many drunk drivers get behind the wheel after celebrating.
For this reason, Richland County Safe Communities Coalition and Richland County Law Enforcement is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to stop drunk drivers and help save lives.
The high-visibility national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, runs Aug. 19 to Sept. 5. During this period, local law enforcement will show zero tolerance for drunk driving. Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of driving drunk, coupled with sobriety checkpoints and increased officers on the road, aim to drastically reduce drunk driving on our nation’s roads.
In order to increase local awareness, Richland County Safe Communities Coalition will have a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Kickoff Event on Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. at Richland Public Health (lower level Corley Meeting Room). Coalition members and local law enforcement will join for a press conference and, weather permitting, vehicles from all Richland County law enforcement agencies will be parked on the Health Department front lawn facing Lexington Avenue as a visible show of force.
According to NHSTA, on average, over 10,000 people died each year (2010 to 2014) in drunk-driving crashes. During the 2014 Labor Day holiday weekend (6 p.m. August 29 – 5:59 a.m. September 2), 40 percent of the fatalities in traffic crashes involved drunk drivers, which was the highest percentage over the five years 2010 to 2014. And nighttime proves to be the most dangerous time to be out on the roads: During the 2014 Labor Day holiday period, 83 percent of drunk-driving crash fatalities occurred between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. – as compared to half of all drunk-driving crash fatalities throughout the rest of that year.
Additionally, 40 percent of crash fatalities on Labor Day weekend in 2014 involved drunk drivers (with blood alcohol concentrations [BACs] of .08 or higher), amounting to 162 lives lost. And we’re not just talking about a little bit of alcohol, either. More than a quarter (28%) of the crash fatalities that occurred on Labor Day weekend involved drivers with BACs of .15 or higher—almost twice the illegal limit.
“People need to understand that drunk driving is not only deadly, but it is illegal,” said Reed Richmond, Health Educator at Richland Public Health and a Richland County Safe Communities Coalition spokesperson. “Drunk driving kills 28 people every day. Drivers need to pay attention to their own driving, but also to others on the road who could be driving drunk,” he added. “It is your business. If you think you see a drunk driver, call law enforcement at 9-1-1 and let them know.”
The reality is, people aren’t invincible. Of the 9,967 people who were killed in impaired-driving crashes in 2014, 64 percent were the drunk drivers themselves. Those 6,391 drunk drivers thought they would make it to their destinations, but they didn’t.
Local and State impaired driving statistics can be just as disturbing as the national numbers. Through the first six month of this year, Richland County has had 400 stops for OVI involving alcohol and/or drugs, according to OSHP statistics.
In 2015, Richland County had 145 alcohol-related crashes resulting in 62 injuries with four fatal alcohol-related crashes resulting in seven fatalities, according to Ohio Crash Facts: Alcohol-Related Crashes by County. In 2015, Ohio recorded 12,526 alcohol-related Crashes. Of these crashes 316 were fatal crashes, resulting in 346 deaths. There were 5,090 alcohol-related injury crashes resulting in 7,130 injuries.
In every state, it’s illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. The Safe Communities Coalition wants to remind Richland County drivers that it’s not a recommendation; it’s the law.
During the enforcement period starting Aug. 19, there will be a special emphasis on drunk-driving enforcement. Local drivers should expect to see more patrol vehicles, DUI checkpoints, and increased messaging about this reckless, preventable crime.
“The number of people who are still drinking and driving is unacceptable,” added Richmond. “Yes, we want to increase awareness for the campaign, but we want the effects to be permanent.
“This is important to remember: do not trust yourself when you drink. You may think you aren’t drunk, but law enforcement will know you are. Law enforcement officers’ skills in detecting and identifying drunk drivers have never been better. They will spot you and arrest you.”
Richmond emphasized the preventable nature of drunk driving.
“All it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive.”
Richland County Safe Communities Coalition suggest the following tips to avoid drunk driving:
Plan a safe way home before consuming alcoholic beverages.
Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
If you’re impaired, don’t get behind the wheel. Call a taxi, use public transportation or call a sober friend or family member so you are sure to get home safely.
Remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.
NHTSA has made it even easier to get home safely when you’ve been drinking. The new SaferRide mobile app: Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/saferride/id950774008?mt=8
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nhtsa.SaferRide
It can help users call a taxi or a friend for a ride home. The app can even help you identify your location so you can be picked up.
This August, and every day, remember: there is never an excuse to drink and drive. If you choose to break the law, Richland County law enforcement will see you before you see them. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
