By Nene Clayton
Let’s face it… December is a busy month for us!!! We have a few weeks to salvage our grades, prepare for finals, pack for the winter holidays, pinch our pennies to purchase gifts and brace ourselves for those dreaded “so how’s college going” questions from our relatives and family friends. As we prepare for the celebrations ahead we at U in the Driver Seat want to make sure you are doing so safely.
Here are a few tips to help you stay safe while being home for the holidays:
Tip 1
Reuniting with old high school friends is great, but try not to stay out all night and drive back home… drowsy driving has the same effects on the body as drinking and driving.
Fact Check
Did you know that 24% of teens reported actually falling asleep or nearly falling asleep at the wheel because of staying up late due to social activities (U-Driver.com, 2017).
Tip 2
Don’t drink and drive, even if you think you are capable of driving…don’t! Always use a designated driver. Apps like Uber, Lyft and taxi cab services are a safe way to ensure that you and your friends get home safely.
Fact Check
18- to 21-year-olds continue to have the highest number of alcohol involved deaths which has not changed since before 2010 (NHTSA, 2016)
Tip 3
While attending all of those holiday parties, make sure to eat some food before you start drinking. This will help slow the absorption of alcohol into your body.
Tip 4
If you are NOT of age (21 and up) the Zero Tolerance Law makes it ILLEGAL for you to drive with ANY measurable amount of alcohol in your blood.
Fact Check
Violators of underage drinking laws often face a trip to jail, the loss of their driver’s license, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses including attorney fees, court costs, and other fines (U-Driver.com, 2017)
Now that you have some tips and facts to accompany you, enjoy your holiday break and be safe! See you all in the Spring semester. Best of luck on finals and Congratulations to any graduating seniors!!!
For more information, tips and tricks check out the U in the Driver Seat website at https://www.u-driver.com/driver-risks/
Ms. Clayton is a senior at Texas State University working towards getting her Bachelors of Health and Wellness Promotion. The Youth Transportation Safety Program is proud to have Nene on our team as a student worker.
Resources
Department of Transportation (US), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Traffic Safety Facts 2014 data: alcohol-impaired driving. Washington, DC: NHTSA; 2015
U in the Driver Seat. (2017, August 15). Alcohol Impaired Driving – Know the Facts. Retrieved December 04, 2017, from https://www.u-driver.com/driver-risks/impaired-driving/alcohol/
Leave a Reply