Important Information During this Holiday Season
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As you read this, many of you are preparing for Christmas celebrations today, and others are looking forward to ringing in the new year Sunday night. For many of us, alcoholic beverages add to the merrymaking this season or mask our discomfort at a time when reality doesn't always live up to our expectations. After all, we're not all waking up well-rested to a Christmas-morning surprise of a new car in the driveway with a big red bow on top. But what we may forget is, it's easy to go overboard this time of year. We spend too much and eat too much, and many of us drink too much. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 400 people died nationwide in alcohol-related crashes over Christmas weekend last year, and 471 more were killed over the New Year's weekend. As the holiday season continues and New Year's Eve approaches, police and traffic-safety officials are reminding motorists to drive safely, pay attention and designate a sober driver. A nationwide Driving Under the Influence crackdown started Dec. 20. "This most festive time of the year is also one of the most dangerous on our roads and highways," said David Reich, spokesman for the Tri-State Traffic Safety Partners. "If you drink and drive, area police will do their best to catch, arrest and prosecute you." State, county, city, town and village police will participate, and motorists may find checkpoints where they least expect them. Westchester County police have made nearly 500 alcohol-related arrests this year through their roving patrols, county police Capt. John Hodges said. Police reason that publicizing their enforcement is one way to deter people from drinking and driving. If you think you might get caught, you may be more inclined to designate a driver, spend the night, take a cab or make other arrangements. It's also a way to try to prevent one of the most festive times of the year from turning into the deadliest. Speeding, reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are major factors in many accidents. About 115 people nationwide are killed in traffic crashes every day, and nearly 40 percent of those deaths are due to alcohol-related causes. Statistics show that driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs spikes at this time of year as people celebrate at holiday parties and family gatherings, accounting for nearly half of all crashes. We've all read about the tragic accidents and near-accidents involving moms driving under the influence - the latest a 37-year-old Cortlandt woman charged with felony DWI on Thursday after she nearly hit a state police cruiser while driving on the wrong side of the road in Cortlandt. She struck a Honda CR-V driven by Jill Holland, 51, of New Fairfield, Conn. The accident happened shortly after 8:40 a.m. Holland was en route to deliver Christmas presents to children at her day care center and was injured. "There was an odor of alcoholic beverages on her breath,'' state police Investigator Michael Davis of Troop K said. "Because of her beliefs or her family's beliefs, there was no autopsy, but blood work will be done and in my opinion we will find a high level of alcohol in her system. She was driving recklessly prior to the accident, according to witnesses.'' Unfortunately, this is unlikely to be the last fatal accident involving drugs or alcohol in our area this year. "The holidays are always of concern to us because of the celebrations and parties,'' said Daniel Jackson, deputy police commissioner in White Plains. "The guys are extra-vigilant around the holidays. We do put checkpoints at key times and areas to prevent that kind of thing.'' The city is also offering an easy out to New Year's Eve revelers who overdo it. For the fourth year in a row, Heineken USA, which has its headquarters in White Plains, is underwriting the cost of offering free $50 vouchers for cab rides home to New Year's Eve patrons of about 32 participating downtown bars and restaurants. The Safe Ride program is co-sponsored by the city, the White Plains Business Improvement District and the White Plains Hospital Center. The city expects as many as 15,000 people to welcome the new year in White Plains, drawn by the many bars and restaurants, as well as the city's midnight ball drop and fireworks at Mamaroneck Avenue and Main Street. Just about every downtown pub is participating, including the Black Bear, Vintage, James Joyce, Dooley Mac's, Thirsty Turtle and Porter House. Riders must be 21 or older and must pay for any charges over $50. Rides will be available from noon on New Year's Eve to 4 a.m. New Year's Day, and can be had by getting a voucher from a participating business and calling 800-TAXICAB. Last year, David J. Maloney, an aide to Mayor Joseph Delfino, said 24 rides were given, possibly preventing as many accidents. "If we save one life with this program, it's a success,'' Delfino said. "In the last two years, we have not had any alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes on New Year's Eve. Based on our success, I hope this becomes a countywide program. I encourage others to adopt it.'' Source: Journal News |
