Save Lives This Weekend: Don't Drive Drunk or Drowsy
24 November 1998
Save Lives This Weekend: Don't Drive Drunk or Drowsy, Says the Auto Club
LOS ANGELES--Nov. 24, 1998--In an effort to reduce the number of tragic holiday collisions that caused 62 deaths and 3,200 injuries statewide last Thanksgiving weekend, the Automobile Club of Southern California is warning motorists not to drive if they have been drinking alcohol or are tired.
"The Auto Club is predicting a high number of drivers on the road this weekend -- over 5.1 million in the 13 western states," said Arline Dillman, Ph.D., traffic safety manager for the Auto Club. "Any increase in traffic congestion will increase the likelihood of a collision, particularly for motorists who are impaired by alcohol or a lack of sleep. Driving when you are sleep-deprived is a recipe for disaster."
While the number of Californians killed or injured in alcohol-related collisions over Thanksgiving weekend has dropped significantly since 1993, the number of overall collision deaths and injuries during the four-day holiday actually has risen slightly in that same time period.
"The statistics indicate that increased education, stricter laws and enforcement for drunken driving have had a positive impact in reducing alcohol-related crashes," Dillman said. "But Thanksgiving still turns out to be a tragic holiday for too many families."
Dillman said drivers can help prevent themselves and their family members from becoming deadly crash statistics by making sure they and their vehicles are fully prepared for a long drive in congested traffic.
"The best way to protect yourself from collisions this weekend is to avoid driving during the most heavily congested times -- typically Wednesday afternoon and evening, as well as Sunday afternoon and evening," Dillman said. "But if you must drive during those times or late at night, make sure you are fully alert and able to concentrate on the road."
Those who travel by car this weekend to reach their Thanksgiving feast destination can expect to pay less to get there. At an average of $1.186 per gallon, California gas prices are down 25 cents from the 1997 Thanksgiving average price of $1.436 a gallon.
The Auto Club recommends the following tips for Thanksgiving motor vehicle travelers:
-- Get at least five hours of sleep before hitting the road.
-- Before setting out, check your tire pressure, fluid levels and
windshield wiper blades to make sure they can withstand a long
trip and possible bad weather.
-- If you are driving a large group of people, make sure you
concentrate on the road and are not distracted by their
conversation or activity. Bring games, books and toys to occupy
young travelers.
-- Watch for the danger signs of drowsy driving: eyes closing by
themselves, difficulty paying attention, frequent yawning or
swerving in the lane.
-- If you're drowsy, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and
either take a short nap (even 20 minutes will help) or consume
caffeine.
-- Try to set a limit of 300-400 miles of driving per day to limit
fatigue.
-- Avoid drugs that may cause drowsiness or inattentiveness.
-- When driving, keep eyes moving -- from the left side of the road
to the right. Focus on an object that is near, then on an object
that is far.
-- Stay alert. Decide ahead of time how to react to possible dangers
or driving situations.
-- Stop at regular intervals. Get out of the car every two hours or
so. Run in place, do jumping jacks, breathe deeply.
The Auto Club is providing free "Solution to Drowsy Driving" tip cards to all motorists at its offices throughout Southern California.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's emergency road service, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
COLLISION DEATHS AND INJURIES DURING FOUR-DAY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
IN CALIFORNIA
Year Alcohol-related Alcohol-related Total deaths Total injuries
deaths injuries
1993 18 602 48 3,016
1994 27 563 67 3,130
1995 23 570 56 2,985
1996 15 494 65 2,973
1997 16 469 62 3,152
Source: California Highway Patrol
COLLISION DEATHS AND INJURIES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COUNTIES,
THANKSGIVING 1997
County Alcohol-related Alcohol-related Total Total
deaths injuries deaths injuries
Imperial 1 3 1 18
Inyo 0 0 0 0
Kern 0 5 4 82
Los Angeles 3 108 13 955
Mono 0 1 0 10
Orange 1 49 2 270
Riverside 1 33 2 172
San Bernardino 0 16 10 172
San Diego 0 65 3 279
San Luis Obispo 0 0 0 14
Santa Barbara 0 2 0 28
Tulare 0 4 0 27
Ventura 0 15 1 68
Southern California
Totals 5 301 36 2,095
California Totals 16 469 62 3,152
Source: California Highway Patrol