As Americans prepare for New Year’s celebrations, AAA Mid-Atlantic is reminding drivers and passengers alike of the dangers on the roads this New Year’s Day, which consistently ranks among the year’s deadliest days for alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
“According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 10,076 people died in drunk driving crashes in 2013, which although is a decline of 2.5% from the number of persons killed (10,336) in 2012, is still far too many lives lost from a completely preventable crime,” stated Tracy Noble, Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic. In New Jersey, there were 146 drunk driving deaths in 2013, making up 27% of traffic deaths in the State, 146 deaths that were completely unnecessary.
To strengthen efforts to protect the public against drunk drivers and reduce alcohol-related traffic deaths, AAA Mid-Atlantic is offering important safety advice to New Year’s Eve partygoers:
- · Always plan ahead to designate a non-drinking driver before any party or celebration begins.
- · Never get behind the wheel of a car when you’ve been drinking alcohol – even after just one drink.
- · Never ride as a passenger in a car driven by someone who has been drinking alcohol – even after just one drink.
- · Do not hesitate to take the keys from friends or family members who may be impaired
- · Use mass transit or call a taxi.
- · Be a responsible host in reminding guests to stay safe and always offer alcohol-free beverages.
- · If you encounter an impaired driver on the road, keep a safe distance and ask a passenger to call 911 (or pull over to a safe location to make the call yourself).
- · Download NHTSA’s new SaferRide app which will allow users to call a taxi or a friend and identify their location so they can be picked up. The app is available for Android devices on Google Play, and Apple devices on the iTunes store.
- · Remember: prescription, over-the-counter medications and illegal drugs also can impair your ability to drive safely.
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I had been commuting from NY to Lakewood late at night for many years & I never noticed anything differerent on the roads on New Years Eve; However on New Years Eve: Bars & Party’s are the most dangerous places to be, thousands of people get stabbed etc in such places on New a years Eve as people there are drunk, wild & irresponsible, it’s safest to stay away from these places on NYEve. I had an excellent 42 year old Mexican handyman & landscaper whom took care of my Lakewood properties, After hurricane Sandy he made loads of money cutting trees, clean ups etc and came New Years eve he went to a party in Queens of which he got stabbed there and that was the end of him.