According to state officials, last year nearly 200 people died in Colorado car accidents due to impaired driving.
Discover How the Campaign Seeks to Decrease Colorado Drunk Driving Accidents
If you watch much television or listen to the radio, soon you will start hearing and seeing public awareness spots stating that you either “Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over.” The ads will start mid-August and will run through the remainder of the year and into 2019, and for a good reason. With colleges gearing up for a new school year and the holiday season approaching, more people will be out socializing, which generally means drinking will be involved.
Driving Sober Could Save Thousands of Lives
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 10,000 people die in drunk driving accidents every year. In 2015, nearly 200 children, 14 or younger were killed in accidents caused by drunk drivers. Colorado seems to be moving in the wrong direction when it comes to fatalities caused by an impaired driver. Just a point of reference here, Colorado considers an impaired driver as someone who is either drunk or on drugs; they do not distinguish between the two substances.
According to state officials, last year nearly 200 people died in Colorado car accidents due to impaired driving. When it came to the location where most of those fatalities occurred, Denver ranked number one with 20 impaired-related fatalities. Trying to decrease all traffic fatalities is a major goal of law enforcement nationwide, but local authorities note that driving while under the influence is something completely preventable and they are hoping their Drive Sober campaign will hammer that message home.
2 out of Every 3 People Will Be Involved in a Drunk Driving Related Accident
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), an organization launched in 1980 after one mom started a movement to reduce alcohol-related deaths, is one of the most prevalent examples of anti-drinking campaigns. Candy Lightner’s 13-year-old daughter, Cari, was killed that same year by a repeat offender who had just been released from jail two days before Cari’s death after his 4th DUI arrest. Prior to the organization of MADD, it was reported that alcohol was the main factor in over 60 percent of traffic deaths. Since 1980, alcohol-related fatalities have been cut dramatically, especially in the population it impacts the most, those 16-20 years old, though NHTSA notes alcohol-related accidents remain a serious issue. Just how bad does drunk driving continue to be? NHTSA notes that one person is killed every 51 minutes due to drunk driving. When it comes to age, the organization reports:
- 34% of alcohol-impaired deaths are between the ages of 21-24
- 30% of deaths are those ages 25-34
- And, those ages 35-44 make up 25% of fatal accidents
Drunk driving continues to plague a huge swath of the population, and that’s why this year’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is so important. Law enforcement will be out in full force doing what they can to keep motorists and pedestrians safe.
You need to do your part as well. If you’ve been drinking or taking drugs, even a small amount, wait before you leave your destination to make sure you are completely sober and capable of safely driving. Better yet, call for a ride. It’s not worth the risk, not to yourself or to others who might be on the road.