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Last modified: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 3:51 PM CST
Coalition illustrates drunk driving fatalities
by Anna Jauhola • Daily News
The Head of the Red Safe Communities Coalition recently created silver-painted branches decorated with 111 red and white snowflakes to place at the Wahpeton High School to illustrate drunk and other driving fatalities around North Dakota in 2007.
Last year, 111 people died on North Dakota's roads. Of these, 63 people died because alcohol was involved. In addition, 65 of the 111 were not wearing seat belts.
Elementary students cut snowflakes for the branches displayed at Wahpeton High School. The red snowflakes stand for those who died in an alcohol related crashes and the white are non-alcohol related crashes.
According to SafeCommunities.org, three out of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash. Also, it is recorded that as much as 50 percent of police work is spend addressing alcohol-related problems in America. In alcohol-related crashes, as much as 75 percent of those ejected from a vehicle are killed.
To the friends and family of these 111 individuals, these are not just numbers. There are 111 families missing loved ones this holiday season, co-workers missing input, neighbors missing a friend and many others.
"The holiday season offers many occasions involving alcohol. The NDDOT reminds everyone that it is our responsibility to remove the deadly combination of alcohol and driving from our roadways," said Linda Butts, NDDOT deputy director of vehicle and driver services. "If you know someone has been drinking, take their keys. If you have been drinking, find a ride home from a sober driver."
The NDDOT offers these suggestions for safer holiday driving season:
• Always wear a seat belt. It is your best defense against a driver who has been drinking.
• Plan ahead and designate a sober driver if you will be drinking alcohol.
• If you are hosting a party, plan to stay sober and offer rides home or call a taxi for your guests.
• If you are in someone's home or in a bar/restaurant, and you notice someone has been drinking and plans to drive, take their keys. While the individual may not appreciate your concern, know that you may have saved a life by doing so.
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