ROAD SAFETY: Thanksgiving Travel Tips to Help You Get Home Safe
For those traveling this Thanksgiving, we want you to arrive to your destination safely. Two easy ways to help accomplish that: buckle up and don’t drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. While they might seem obvious, the reality is that drivers have been making risky decisions behind the wheel in recent years – including driving impaired and not wearing their seat belts.
BUCKLE UP. EVERY TRIP. EVERY TIME.
It’s a fact: seat belts save lives. But many people killed in traffic crashes during the 2020 Thanksgiving holiday weekend weren’t wearing their seat belts — especially at night.
- 333 passenger vehicle occupants were killed
- 51% of those killed at night were unbuckled
- 55% of those killed during the day were unbuckled
BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING
During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, from 2016-2020, over 800 people died in crashes involving a drunk driver. The holiday period begins on Thanksgiving Eve when we typically see people begin to gather with family and friends. In fact, from 2016-2020, 138 drivers involved in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve were drunk. It’s important to understand even a small amount of alcohol can affect a person quickly. For example, someone with a blood alcohol concentration of .02 can have some loss of judgment.
IF YOU FEEL DIFFERENT, YOU DRIVE DIFFERENT
Drugs also affect a person’s ability to drive safely. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychoactive effects — can impact how a person drives. THC slows reaction time, impairs cognitive performance, and makes it more difficult for drivers to stay in their lane.
By driving sober, buckling up every time, and making sure your passengers do the same, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones arrive to your holiday destination safe and sound. Also, remember to watch your speed and don’t drive distracted.
Read the full report here.
As published on HealthyExaminer.com
