This may be a little graphic, but it does illustrate the seriousness of the point, as well as the effectiveness of this advertising in Australia….compare their annual deaths attributed to DUI vs. the US numbers. Apparently, the ad campaign does work as the numbers prove it.
Other Tips Include:
As we go into the last couple of weeks of the holiday season, you may wish to hold safety meetings or circulate a safety alert concerning holiday safety and drinking and driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the rate of death and injury in motor vehicle accidents caused by impaired driving increases significantly around Christmas and New Year.
You don’t want any of your employees—or members of their families—among the dead or injured.
Some sobering statistics might be just the thing to make employees think twice before getting behind the wheel after having had too much to drink.
- Three critical skills for safe driving are judgment, vision, and reflexes. Alcohol and drugs impair all three.
- Driving skills can become impaired well before a person reaches the legal blood alcohol limit.
- Alcohol can have a different effect each time a person drinks, depending on whether he or she has eaten, what was eaten, mood, metabolism, fatigue, and other factors.
- A 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1 1/2 ounce shot of liquor all have about the same amount of alcohol.
- The body eliminates alcohol at a rate of about one drink per hour.
- People who drink or take drugs and drive could be arrested for, and convicted of, DWI and lose their license. Worse, they could injure or kill someone—perhaps even a member of their own family.
(Source: National Commission Against Drunk Driving)
Responsible Holiday Partying
Safety on the road during the holidays often starts at parties and celebrations. Remind employees about these safe partying tips:
- Decide who will be the designated driver before you go to the party.
- If you drink too much and don’t have a designated driver, leave your car and get a ride, take a taxi, or use public transportation to get home.
- Never ride with another guest who’s been drinking or taking drugs.
- Remember that the combined effect of alcohol and drugs will impair driving ability much quicker and more severely.
- Keep a safe distance from anyone who is driving erratically.
- Always wear a seat belt, require passengers to buckle up, and secure little ones in child safety seats.
Also remind employees who host holiday parties to:
- Serve food and have nonalcoholic beverages available.
- Stop serving alcohol and bring out the coffee an hour before the party ends.
- Take appropriate steps to make sure guests who have overindulged don’t drive.
- Never serve alcohol to someone under the age of 21.
EHS Safety News America 