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Since
1981, every President of the United States has proclaimed December “National
Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month” to help underscore the public’s
commitment to preventing impaired driving and promoting the use of designated
drivers. In the Sioux Falls area, we have added a fourth “D” – Distracted – in
the mix.
4D is more than a catchy slogan. It is a
call to action
aimed at every parent, every young person and every driver. Distracted driving
– from talking or texting on cell phones to eating to changing radio stations -
is just as dangerous as driving under the influence.
Of course, teens aren’t
the only drivers making these choices. But their relative inexperience plays a
large part in what they believe they can safely do.
During 4D month, there will be many
opportunities for students and their parents to learn more about impaired
driving. Students from around the area meet early in December to discuss
impaired driving, especially underage drinking and driving. Throughout the
month, they will put in to action their plans to reduce drinking, drugged and
distracted driving. Please support their efforts.
South Dakota 2008
 In 2008,
there were 15,907 car crashes with 5,708 injuries and 121 fatalities. Alcohol
was involved in 977 of the crashes, and in 48 of the fatalities.
21
people 20-years old or younger were killed in car crashes on South Dakota roads;
8 of those deaths were attributed to alcohol-related crashes.
Distracted
drivers were involved in 832 crashes in 2008. Four of those crashes involved
deaths, 341 resulted in injuries.
Summarized from the 2008
South Dakota Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Summary
And did you know:
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The legal
blood alcohol content limit in South Dakota is .08%, but you can be charged with
driving under the influence (DUI) if you have a BAC of more than .05% and you
can’t drive safely because of your alcohol consumption.
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South Dakota enforces an
"Under 21 DUI" law, when an underage driver has a blood alcohol content
registering between .02 and .079. A conviction means your driver’s license
will be suspended for at least 30 days, and maybe up to a full year. You may
be fined and you might have to go to jail.
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Even a single beer will
affect your driving ability. Just one drink will mess up your thinking, your
judgment, your coordination and your concentration.
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A BAC of .04% slows your
reaction time and emergency response. A BAC of .06% affects your coordination,
comprehension, eye movement, lane tracking, and attention. At the legal limit of
.08% BAC, your speed control, braking, gear changing, and overall judgment are
also impaired.
v
DUI convictions in South
Dakota carry sentences ranging from driver license revocation for at least 30
days up to a year for a first offense to at least two years revocation for
multiple offenses. People caught driving with a revoked license will spend ten
to 20 days in jail.
v
Other costs involved with
a DUI conviction include court fines, a $50 charge for a new driver’s license
after the revocation period, skyrocketing car insurance rates, the potential of
being labeled a high risk for insurance and the shame and embarrassment of
having family, friends and employers discover the crime.
There are a lot of
statistics concerning drunk, drugged and distracted drivers, but there are two
simple things for everyone to remember:
1
If you are over 21,
it is illegal to drink and drive.
2
If you are under
21, it’s illegal for you to drink alcohol. One beer. One wine cooler.
One shot. Illegal.
While we mark the 28th
year of this program, please do take it personally. Accept responsibility for
remaining sober and focused when you take control of a vehicle. Don’t shrug off
a friend’s decision to drive after drinking. Alert law enforcement if you see a
suspected impaired driver.
Remember, if you’re going to drive, don’t drink.
The 4D Program is sponsored by:
Sources and resources:
South Dakota Dept. of Public Safety/2008 Accident Record
Why 21?
Drinking – It Can Spin Your World/Family Doctor.org
Teenage Binge Drinking/SAMHSA
Teen Unsafe Driving Behaviors: Focus Group Final Report (Published by the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Sept. 2006)
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