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Fall, 1996 Newsletter - Part 1 of 2
Contents:
Under-Age
Drinking Statistics
- In 1994, over 40% of all the deaths of 16-to-20 year olds were a result of car crashes.
About half of those (around 2,222) were alcohol-related. (1)
- 1,771 people were killed in car crashes involving alcohol between Thanksgiving and New
Year's Eve in 1994. (2)
- The number of intoxicated youth drivers in fatal crashes dropped 14.3% from 1983 to
1994. That is the largest decrease of any age group during this time period. (1)
- The typical American will see 100,000 beer commercials before they turn 18. (2)
- 2.6 million teenagers did not know you could die from an alcohol overdose.
(3)
- Of the 20 million junior and senior high school students in America, ½ drink monthly. (3)
- More than 40% of teens who admitted drinking said they drink when they are upset. 31%
drink alone. 25% drink when they are bored. 25% drink to "get high" (3)
- Since 1975, Minimum Drinking Age Laws have saved approximately 14,816 lives. (1)
- 21,000,000,000 miles were driven drunk in 1990. (4)
SOURCES:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Fatal Accident Reporting System, August,
1995
- Department of Health & Human Services, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Jam the Performance Magazine"
- Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General, Public Health
Service. "Youth and Alcohol: A National Survey; Do They Know What They are
Drinking?" June 1991.
- Miller, Ted R., Children Safety Network Economics & Insurance Resource Center,
National Public Services Research Institute, 1994
How to Spot a Drunk Driver
Listed below are clues suggested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
as ways to distinguish between nighttime drunk and sober drivers.
- Turning with a wide radius.
- Straddling the center of the road or lane marker.
- Appearing to be drunk (i.e., eye fixation, face close to windshield, drinking in the
vehicle).
- Almost striking an object or other vehicle.
- Weaving or zigzagging across the road.
- Driving on other than a designated roadway.
- Swerving or abruptly turning away from a generally straight course.
- Turning abruptly or illegally.
- Driving slower than 10 mph below speed limit.
- Stopping without cause in a traffic lane.
- Stopping inappropriately (other than in lane).
- Following others too closely.
- Drifting or moving in a straight-line at a slight angle to the roadway.
- Erratic braking.
- Driving into opposing or crossing traffic.
- Signaling that is inconsistent with driving actions.
- Slow response to traffic signals (sudden stop, delayed start).
- Driving with headlights off.
How to Report a Drunk
Driver
Call the police or 911. Once connected with a law enforcement agency, provide them with
the following information:
- Tell them you wish to report a suspected drunk driver.
- Give the exact location (identify road and direction) of the vehicle.
- Give a complete description of the vehicle, such as make, model, color, license number,
etc.
- Describe the manner in which the vehicle is being driven.
What NOT To Do
- Do not attempt to stop the vehicle.
- Do not attempt to follow if the vehicle is exceeding the posted limit or if any other
hazard may exist due to following the vehicle.
- Do not disregard any traffic signals in an attempt to keep the driver in view.
- Do not follow the drunk driver too closely because they may stop suddenly.
- Do not get so engrossed in following the drunk driver that you begin weaving in the road
with the drunk driver.
- Do not attempt to detain the drunk driver if they stop.
- Do not attempt to act in the capacity of any police, fire or medical person unless you
are properly trained and authorized to perform that function.
- Do not attempt to assist any law enforcement officer while they are apprehending a drunk
driver unless requested.
MADD
invites you to attend the
10th Annual Community Recognition Luncheon
- November, 1996
We thank our title sponsor, Mitsubishi Motors, for
making this program possible.
Designated Driver Program Kick-off event
(sponsored by AirTouch Cellular Foundation)
Location: Park Place Center in Irvine
Date/Time: October 26th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Bring the entire family!
Featuring:
If you know of a restaurant in your area that might be interested in becoming a member
of the Designated Driver program, please call our office at (714) 835-6233
MADD supports the following national programs:
Project Red
Ribbon
 Domino's Pizza is again sponsoring the Red Ribbon program.
Participating stores are topping their boxes with MADD's Red Ribbon to raise the public's
awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving.
If you would like additional Red Ribbons, please call your local Domino's
to see if they are participating in this program. Or, you may contact our chapter office
(714-838-6199)
Please attach the enclosed Red Ribbon to a visible location on your car as a commitment
to drive sober and remind others to do the same.
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