Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.
 That slogan, brought to us by the U.S. Department of
Transportation and the Ad Council more than two decades ago, still
rings true.
Friends don’t let friends drive drunk. That slogan, brought to us by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Ad Council more than two decades ago, still rings true.
Since 1983, when the highly recognizable slogan was introduced, its accompanying ad campaign has reached 84 percent of Americans. Yet, of the 4,329 traffic fatalities in California in 2005, 40 percent were alcohol-related.
We need to take that message to heart more than ever this year.
San Benito County has seen one alcohol-related traffic fatality in 2006. One is too many.
Let’s make sure we start off 2007 in the best and safest way possible, without any drunken driving accidents.
As a community, we need to make a conscientious effort to prevent these needless deaths.
For many among us, drinking is as much a part of celebrating the new year as resolutions to lose weight. That’s all fine and good, so long as it is done responsibly.
So this year, we urge all San Benito County residents to not let their friends drive drunk. It’s too dangerous. We can’t afford it at any time of the year, especially during this season of joy and thankfulness.
California legislators have added several new provisions to the California Vehicle Code that will go into effect right after most residents ring in the New Year with a sip of bubbly.
These new laws include stricter penalties for those who get behind the wheel after drinking.
Drivers will face increased penalties for street racing and driving under the influence. First-time driving under the influence offenders whose blood alcohol content exceeds 0.20 would see increased driver’s license suspensions from six months to 10 months, come Jan. 1.
We sincerely hope that laws such as this make locals think twice about driving drunk, but we know that without community-wide effort, these new laws won’t prevent DUI-related fatalities.
Our local roadways and thoroughfares are dangerous enough, even for the keenest sober drivers. Our city and county officials will be working diligently to make roads safer this year. Let’s not make things worse by adding drunken drivers to the mix in the meantime.
We urge our community to be responsible this holiday season and throughout the new year.
Please help us make this a safe year.
Don’t drink and drive and make sure your friends, neighbors and co-workers don’t drink and drive either.
So, for those who drink, cheers. And for the designated drivers, a hearty thank you.
