Caution Ahead: New Years Ranks as Deadliest Day on U.S. Roads
Caution Ahead: New Years Ranks as Deadliest Day on U.S. Roads
WASHINGTON, D.C. (PRWEB) December 26, 2012
As Americans prepare for holiday celebrations, AAA reminds drivers and passengers alike of the dangers on the roads this New Years Day, which consistently ranks as the years deadliest day for alcohol-related fatalities. To strengthen efforts to protect the public against drunk drivers and reduce alcohol-related traffic deaths, AAA is announcing its support of ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders, and offers important safety advice to partygoers.
AAA is not alone in its concern about impaired driving or strong support for tough policies for convicted drunk drivers, said AAA Traffic Safety Advocacy Director Jake Nelson. According to the 2012 Traffic Safety Culture Index conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than nine in 10 drivers consider it a serious threat to their personal safety when others drink and drive, and nearly all (97 percent) surveyed find it unacceptable for a driver to get behind the wheel when they have had too much to drink. To prevent these dangers, nearly eight in 10 Americans support requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders, even if its their first conviction.
Research has identified ignition interlock devices (IIDs) as a proven way to save lives. AAAs recommendation to require the use of IIDs for all convicted offenders is grounded in research. Evidence clearly shows that IIDs are more effective than other methods at reducing re-arrest among convicted drunk drivers and keeping them off the road, said Nelson.
AAA is reaching out to motorists on the heels of a recent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) decision to support laws requiring IID use for all first-time DUI offendersone of several new recommendations issued to help curb alcohol-related traffic injury and death. I commend AAA for stepping up for safety, said NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman. Technologies, such as ignition interlocks, will reduce alcohol-related crashes on our nation’s roadways. We look forward to working alongside AAA and its clubs to eliminate the nations top killer on our roadways impaired driving.
Preventing drinking and driving is a shared responsibility to save lives. While AAA advocates expanding IID use to all persons convicted of drunk driving, New Years Eve partygoers can do their part by heeding the following advice:
