Traffic on the state’s roadways is expected to increase significantly during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, which traditionally marks the beginning of the summer driving season. To increase your chances of surviving highway travel during this dangerous holiday, slow down, buckle up and don’t drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), using a seat belt is the single most effective action you can take to protect yourself in a vehicle crash. Seat belt use reduces the risk of sustaining a fatal injury by 45 percent in a car and 60 percent in a light truck. It also reports that 60 percent of passengers killed in traffic crashes are not wearing seat belts. As part of the "Click It or Ticket" campaign, which started May 19 and continues through June 1, police will be working overtime during the Memorial Day holiday. Operations will include increased saturation patrols and traffic safety checkpoints and coordinated enforcement activities with local and state police for maximum coverage.

 

Drinking and driving don't mix. Alcohol affects a person's ability to make crucial driving decisions, such as braking, steering, or changing lanes. Remember, you are not the only one in danger when you decide to drink and then drive. You are sharing the road with everyone including large vehicles and your chances of getting into an accident are greatly increased. If you get into an accident with a truck, you're out of luck. The odds of surviving a serious accident with a large truck are too low. However, if you do live through it without serious injury, think of your higher insurance rates, your large legal fees, and other social and professional setbacks it will cause you. So think before you drink.

Despite recent reductions in fatalities, impaired driving remains one of America's deadliest social problems. In 2004, nearly 13,000 drivers or motorcycle operators died in crashes with a BAC level of .08 or above- the illegal limit in all states. Most people don't intend to drive home drunk, but too many find themselves at the end of the night without a sober designated driver. Unfortunately, many of these drivers convince themselves and friends that they are able to drive with the comment, "I'm okay, I'm just buzzed."