Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month Source: http://youth.gov/feature-article/december-national-impaired-driving- prevention-month

Impaired Driving, FACTS Impaired driving includes distracted driving, drugged driving and drunk driving. Thirty million Americans on average drive drunk and continue to each year. People aged 16-25 on average have a higher rate of drunk driving than any other age group along with a higher percentage involved in fatal crashes. More than 25% of adults over 50 were responsible for drugged driving involving a deadly crash.

Distracted Driving With cell phone use at an ultimate high roads can quickly become a dangerous place to be around and on. In 2011, 1 in 5 (17%) automobile accidents involving injury reported “distraction” as a main factor. Distracted Driving can include talking on the phone, texting, eating and using navigation systems. Texting is the most dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction. There are three main types of distraction: Visual ─ taking your eyes off the road Manual ─ taking your hands off the wheel Cognitive ─ taking your mind off of driving www.cdc.gov/Features/dsDistractedDriving/

Don’t be distracted… Don’t be afraid to let a friend know they are distracted while driving. Be a good role model for teens and friends, put your cell phone away or in the trunk while traveling in a vehicle. Don’t text and drive, law enforcement is cracking down on this in many states. You could be pulled over, ticketed and fined. At times it can be more dangerous than drinking and driving because it takes all three types of distraction. Make a family pledge to commit to distraction free driving.

Drugged Driving Different drugs affect the brain and body different ways. One drug may slow reaction time whereas another drug may cause a driver to be aggressive and reckless, or others may cause extreme drowsiness. This is why it’s a good idea to not operate any vehicle while using any form of drugs. Many of these side effects and impairments can lead to fatal crashes. In 2010 a study found 47% of deadly crashes involved a driver who tested positive for a range of drugs. The rate of driving under the influence of illicit drugs in 2011 was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 at 11.6 percent. www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/drugged-driving

Just Say No… Avoid riding with drivers who have been using illicit or abusing prescription drugs and/or combining these with alcohol. Offer to be the designated driver. Get a ride to and from parties. UBER IT! Deal the potential consequences of impaired driving. Do not put yourself in these situations if you are unsure about someone's driving ability at the moment.

Drunk Driving It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration above 0.08%. Who is at Risk? Young Adults - In 2014, 30% of drivers involved in fatal crashes with BAC levels of .08% or higher were ages 21-24 years old Motorcyclist - In 2014, 29% of motorcyclist involved in fatal crashes were tested to have had a BAC of .08% or higher. Drivers with prior DWI records - Drivers who are above the legal limit or higher and involved in fatal crashes are seven times more likely to have had a previous record of DWI. www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html

Put a Dent in it… Prevention Tips Have a plan in place before a night out. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. UBER IT! If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement as soon as it’s safe to. Youth is at risk, do not provide alcohol to minors.