Community Corner

Leave the Car Keys at Home: Ring in a Fun and Safe 2012

Making New Year's Eve plans? Don't forget to plan your ride home or to choose a designated driver.

The countdown to New Year’s Eve has begun! With Christmas and Hanukkah a memory, it’s time to prepare to bid 2011 farewell and welcome in a brand new 2012.

While New Year’s Eve is all about , two organizations and those in law enforcement want to be sure that partygoers stay safe so they see the New Year.

Last year about 10,500 people died in alcohol-impaired accidents and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council are asking that those who plan to attend parties or head to the bars take time to plan ahead in order to stay safe. The best bets are to plan ahead to have a safe way home or consider choosing a designated driver, according to a joint news release from the organizations.

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Why drive when you can take a taxi this holiday. If that isn't an option choose a designated driver. If you have a designated driver or take a taxi there is no need to grab the car keys, so just leave them at home.

The Will County Sheriff's Office announced in a news release earlier this month that it has intensified its impaired driving and late-night safety belt enforcement over the holiday period. 

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Citing data from the from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, officials from Will County said the midnight to 3 a.m. time frame is the deadliest on Illinois roads. This time of night also has the highest percentage of driving under the influence incidents and the lowest safety belt usage rate.

If you should start out the evening driving and over the course of the night have more to drink than you planned, don’t drive, instead call a taxi, contact a sober ride program or call a friend or family member to pick you up, according to the officials. 

"The numbers do not lie," Sgt. Steve Byland, Will County Sheriff's Office Traffic Division said in a news release. "We will be stepping up our late night enforcement efforts, making sure impaired drivers are off the road and motorists are buckled up."

Wearing a seatbelt and making sure all passengers are buckled up is the best defense against impaired drivers, according to the Will County Sheriff's Office.

While you are out, if you should happen to spot a driver who appears to be driving impaired do not hesitate to contact police, according to officials. If someone you know appears to be impaired or is about to leave with a driver who appears impaired take the driver’s keys and help them make other arrangements. 

Planning the perfect New Year's Eve soiree means having great food and drinks. Hosts should also plan to offer some non-alcoholic drinks for designated drivers. A list of 50 non-alcoholic drinks can be found on this Facebook page.

If you are planning ahead for a safe night out you can find information on local taxi services in this .

Learn more about buzzed driving and how to safe this New Year’s Eve. 

 


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