Labor Day is next weekend. The un-official end of the summer brings with it backyard BBQ’s, pool parties, going to the lake one last time, fun with family and friends, and a heavy police presence looking for drunk drivers. Increased enforcement will run from Friday August 21st until September 7th, 2015. That’s over two weeks and covers 3 weekends.
TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) and all of us at wirelessdefensivedriving.com wish to remind everyone that might consume alcohol not to get behind the wheel and drive. “Last year in Texas, 21 people were killed and 42 were seriously injured in 338 alcohol related crashes over the Labor Day holiday” according to a recent TxDOT statewide news release.
“Too many people are killed on our roads each year – especially during holidays – due to impaired driving. These crashes are inexcusable and 100-percent preventable. We are grateful to our law enforcement officers who will be keeping Texans safe by pulling over and arresting impaired drivers.” said TxDOT Executive Director Lt. Gen. Joe Weber, USMC (Ret).
Impairment of the most important skills can occur at a very low blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The skills involved in driving a motor vehicle include psychomotor skills, vision, perception, tracking (steering), information processing, and attention. All of these functions are impaired by alcohol, although they differ in the extent of their impairment at any given BAC as taught in the wirelessdefensivedriving.com course.
TxDot goes on to say that “Many Texas communities implement “no-refusal” programs over Labor Day weekend, authorizing law enforcement officials to obtain blood samples from suspected drunk drivers and motorcyclists. Drivers convicted of DWI in Texas face costs up to $17,000 plus possible jail time, limited career prospects and loss of driver’s license.”
If you plan on consuming alcohol, just don’t drive! Take a taxi, have a designated driver, plan to stay where you are overnight, or use mass transit. Plan ahead. You can also go to SoberRides.org to locate other alternatives to driving after having a “few”.
Have a great holiday and let’s make sure everyone gets home to loved ones alive.
