Drunk Driving Campaigns Are Not Working

The latest news reports released after the New Year celebrations reveal something that disturbs me.  They’re saying that fatal crashes due to drunk driving have increased. 

 

So, although DUI arrests increased from last year (1,252 DUI arrests during the New Year’s period compared to 986 last year), which is supposed to be a good thing, I think.  I don’t mean to sound cynical, but to me these numbers indicate that people are NOT paying attention to public service announcements or TV campaigns warning them of the consequences of drunk driving.

 

A Message For Celebrities Who Drive Drunk

It’s interesting that everytime we turn to the news, there is a celebrity or athlete who has been arrested for a DUI (or so it seems).  Isn’t it interesting that with all the money they have, they can’t simply hire someone to drive them home after they’ve had a few drinks?  That’s why taxi cabs and limos exist!

New Safe Ride Program in San Diego

In San Diego there aren’t too many transportation or shuttle services that cater to the crowd that loves to party.  With cab prices a little on the steep side and bus/trolley services shut down after midnight, it can be a challenge to get to and from the main party areas like downtown or universities.

Enter Bill’s Bus, a new, private bus line that shuttles passengers from Pacific Beach to downtown San Diego and back.  The idea started in Santa Barbara and has now made its way down to San Diego. Co-owners Chris Lyell, Brandon Mercade, and Brad Hansen presented the idea to Discover Pacific Beach business community’s Hospitality Task Force, an organization that is know for supporting programs aimed at preventing drunk driving.

Read more: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-11-21/local-county-news/pb-bus-service-helps-partiers-leave-the-keys-at-home#ixzz0YIoXLGGs

Here are other safe ride programs available in San Diego:

• USD’s College Cab Program
• Safe Ride Solutions

Are you passionate about preventing  drunk driving in San Diego?  Read more about how to implement a designated driver program.

Arrested for a DUI in San Diego?  Hire a lawyer who specializes in drunk driving cases…

DUI Arrests Up in San Diego County

Even with increased patrols and checkpoints, DUI arrests have increased over the holiday compared to last year.  In this article over at SignOnSanDiego.com, it was reported that California Highway Patrol arrested 36 motorists on suspicion of drunken driving in the county while last year there were only 32 arrests during the same time period (6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Friday).

 

Even throughout the state of California, DUI arrests were up from last year…which brings up an important question:  Is there anything that is going to help bring these statistics down?  Are we doing enough to prevent drunk driving? 

 

Thanksgiving is supposedly the #1 drunk driving holiday. Nearly 400 people died in crashes in the U.S. last year over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday and most of these accidents were alcohol-related. 

 

You have this time off to relax and to spend time with family and friends.  Don’t ruin it by doing something irresponsible like driving drunk!   And if you are arrested for a DUI in San Diego, it’s recommended that you hire an experienced defense lawyer….

Sobriety Checkpoints: Rewards and Stories

Sobriety checkpoints can often be a hassle.  The last time I went through a checkpoint, there were four lanes of traffic that had to merge into two lanes…not to mention the long wait.  A 10 minute ride home had turned into a 45-minute ride home.  Yes, a big hassle it was.

But what if you were rewarded for being sober when you went through a checkpoint?  What if you were given a free turkey?