December 2009
Volume 2, Issue 12 www.autoandhome.cc

Auto & Home Insurance Agency Newsletter

Teens and Drinking and Driving... Statistics don't lie...

In the US, every 22 minutes someone dies in an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident. There are a disproportionately high number of those deaths and accidents that occur with young people in the 15-24 age group.

  • On weekend evenings, one in 10 drivers in this age group in America has been drinking.
  • One out of 10 children ages 12 and 13 uses alcohol at least once a month.
  • 70 percent of all teenagers drink alcohol.
  • 60 percent of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol-related.

Statistics also say that teens and young adults that have a strong relationship with their parents have a 75% less chance of drinking and driving and they make better choices surrounding drinking.

Teens and young adults need to feel safe to call for a ride. They need to feel that they can call a parent or a "SafeRides" program. "SafeRides" is a resource in many areas in the US. On weekends, volunteers wait for calls from teens who are too intoxicated to drive and who need rides home. Here, teen drinking is not treated as a "moral" issue. It's taken for the reality that it is, and as such, has been tremendously successful. In the same vein, Students Against Drunk Driving, SADD, has come up with the "Contract for Life". The "Contract" is a document signed by parents and their children. The teens promise to call home if they or the person driving them has been drinking. In exchange, the parents promise to pick them up, no questions asked until later.

Remember, it is important to continue to talk with your teen or young adult driver about drinking and driving.

  • Although you do not encourage your child to drink, the reality is that they may. Discuss the responsibility that they and their friends have when drinking.
  • Continue to remind them - DO NOT drive with someone who has been drinking.
  • Strongly encourage having them choose a designated driver before they leave the house.
  • Stress that your first priority is to get them home safely. Always encourage them to call you to ask for a ride home or to call Safe Rides (if it exists in your city).
  Auto & Home Insurance Agency

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'Tis the season of holiday parties that offers lots of cocktails with friends, family and co-workers... Its fun to celebrate but you really must first stop to think before you take a drink.

Here is the reason why. Nationally, our country sees its highest level of impaired driving accidents between Thanksgiving and New Years Day. That is nearly 20% higher than the average of impaired driving accidents that occur at other times of the year. Additional research indicates that nationally, during the same time-frame, our country endures 54 deaths per day that are related to impaired driving accidents. That is over 1700 deaths that happen due to drunk or drugged driving from Thanksgiving to New Years Day! Stop to think how many people and families are devastated by these accidents.

Alcohol and driving are a toxic combination. Slower reaction time, poor hazard perception, reduced inhibitions and inflated confidence - alcohol, even in small amounts, adversely affects driver performance. Believe it or not, approximately 30 % of all Americans are involved in an alcohol related crash sometime in their lifetime! And, the top 5 states with the highest number of alcohol related fatalities are Texas, California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Illinois. So, not only do we need to make sure we are driving responsibly, we need to be extremely aware of the other drivers around us, especially at this time of year.

Aside from the risk of killing or seriously injuring yourself and others, drunk driving carries with it serious penalties, not only from the legal system, but also from your auto insurance company. Immediately upon being arrested for a DUI, you will incur substantial costs, including attorney's fees, court fees and judgments. Not only that, you will most likely lose your driving privileges from as little as 6 months up to many years. Once convicted of a DUI, you will experience a substantial increase in your auto insurance premiums and will most likely be required to carry a SR-22 financial responsibility filing for a minimum of 3 years. This filing is prepared by the insurance company and submitted to the state and it allows the state to see that you have continuous insurance for the allotted time-frame.

The responsible and necessary approach when enjoying the holiday spirit is to steer clear of driving. Planning is key to your safety and the safety of others on the road or in your car. It is important to decide on a designated driver or call a driver for hire. Or better yet, plan to stay the night!

 

Here are some helpful tips to help you with planning for an evening out:

  • If you are hosting a party or attending a party, make sure you put planning a designated driver #1 on your list of "to-do's". Make sure to arrange alternative transportation and designate sober drivers in advance.
  • If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
  • Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
  • Always buckle up! You need to be prepared against impaired drivers that may be on the road.
  • Spend the night where the activity is being held.
  • Bottom Line... If you have been drinking or are impaired, let a sober friend or family member drive.

 

Here are some online resources to help you get more information on the serious issue of Drinking and Driving:

 

Have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season from all of us at Auto and Home Insurance and remember these ways to stay and keep others safe .... "Give the Gift of a Lift this Holiday Season" and "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk- Designate a Sober Driver!"

 

Here's to a Healthy and Happy 2010!