Maj. Michelle Hahn, a registered nurse, experiences the effects of impaired driving while wearing goggles that simulate the visual impairment of alcohol or drugs. Photo by Clarence Davis III.
Safe driving habits can save lives
Save lives by observing safe driving habits – especially during the 98 days of summer activities between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
There are several risk factors involved in all motor vehicle crashes, and they are more prevalent during the summer months. These factors include age, fatigue, seat belt use, location, alcohol and speed. Soldiers between ages 18 and 24 are at the highest risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash. These Soldiers are at four times the risk of other age groups.
When fatigue is a factor, Soldiers between the ages of 18 and 24 are involved in more than 56 percent of fatal auto crashes.
Wear your seat belts because they save lives. In 42 percent of all potentially fatal crashes, death was prevented by the proper wear of the seat belt. When the seat belt is used in conjunction with air bags, the lives saved increase to 47 percent.
Statistical data indicates that travel on interstates is safer than travel on two-lane roadways. However, travel on roads with higher speed limits increases the possibility of a fatality by more than 30 percent.
An intoxicated driver is 15 times more likely to be involved in a crash and be fatally injured than a sober driver. Nearly 48 percent of all traffic fatalities involve an person impared by alcohol. In 2007, statistical information provided by the El Paso Police Department indicated 58 percent of local auto crashes involved alcohol. Thus far in 2008, 48 percent of local crashes involved alcohol.
The faster a car is going, the greater the distance and time it takes the driver to stop. Speeding also reduces the amount of time available to react and the ability to safely negotiate the road.
Take heed: Don’t drink and drive, use a designated driver, wear seatbelts, obey the speed limit, don’t drive when tired, take rest breaks, adjust speed for conditions, don’t follow too closely, keep your vehicle in a safe operating condition, drive defensively and avoid the use of cellular phones while operating a motor vehicle.