Sue Scheff: Fourth of July - Blast off but don't drive Buzzed!

Summer is officially here and one of the biggest weekends of the summer is coming soon! The Fourth of July brings many picnics, parties and good old fashion fun with friends and family. It is also a time when many enjoy an alcoholic drink or two.

While many of us focus on fireworks safety each Fourth of July, we also need to keep our roads safe for the drive home after the festivities.

Whether at a family barbeque or viewing the local fireworks, many will be on the roads this Independence Day. It's time to spread the word about the dangers of buzzed driving and to remind people that Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving, and the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead.

Help keep your roads safe for everyone this July Fourth by spreading the word that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

There are four steps you should take to protect your loved ones on the Fourth of July.

1. Designate a sober driver before you leave for your Fourth of July events.
2. Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi.
3. Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.
4. Call 9-1-1 if you see an impaired driver on the road.

Even if you will not be drinking alcoholic beverages this Fourth of July, keep in mind that over the course of 2008, 1,179 people in other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. And there were a total of 491 motor vehicle traffic fatalities during the Fourth of July Holiday period (Thursday, July 3rd, 6 pm to Monday, July 7th, 5:59 am). And for those who say they don't plan on over-indulging . . . a buzzed driving crash looks the same as a drunk driving crash.

We are working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council as they continue their efforts with the "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" PSA campaign. Buzzed drivers drink and drive, but do not consider themselves a hazard on the roadway because they have had "only a few" drinks.
Learn more about Broward County's Driving Under the Influence and the consequences you will face if pulled over for drunk or buzzed driving.

Be an educated parent, you will have safer teens!

Watch short video today and save a life tomorrow.

Sue Scheff: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

What an important message for this time of the year, and truly, all year round. Take the time to be an educated parent, have safer teens and potentially save a life.

Did you know that in 2008, nearly 12,000 drivers or motorcycle riders died in alcohol-related crashes?

That's one person every 40 minutes. Many people are under the misconception that you would have to be "falling down drunk" to be too impaired to drive safely. That couldn't be further from the truth. Last year alone, during the winter holiday season, 420 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. You can't help but wonder if those lives could have been saved if people thought twice before getting behind the wheel.

With the holidays approaching, it's important that drivers be reminded about the dangers of buzzed driving. Who knows, it could save a life.The National Highway Safety and Traffic Association (NHTSA) and the Ad Council are continuing their efforts with their PSA campaign called "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving."

The buzzed driver is one who drinks and drives, but does not consider himself a hazard on the roadway because "only a few" drinks are consumed. The campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving."During the holiday season help keep "buzzed" drivers off the road. Learn about the dangers of buzzed driving, share a story or experience you might have had with buzzed driving and follow them on Twitter @BuzzedDriving and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/buzzeddrivingisdrunkdriving ) to get the latest updates and news from NHTSA.You can also visit the website (http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/ ) where readers can sign a pledge not to drive buzzed, play an interactive game to help them understand how drinking can impair driving, and hear personal stories from people who have driven buzzed.

Watch the 30 second video here.Be an educated parent - have a safer teen and holiday season.

Reminder: Holiday Safety Tips
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