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Curb Drunk Driving this New Year’s Eve

todayDecember 31, 2021 126

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (December 30, 2021) – As Ohioans prepare to ring in the New Year, AAA is encouraging everyone to celebrate responsibly and drive sober.

Drivers recognize the dangers of drunk driving. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s latest Traffic Safety Culture Index, nearly all drivers (94.5%) say driving after drinking is very or extremely dangerous. Yet, alcohol-related crashes and fatalities remain an issue on Ohio’s roads.

Last year, 384 people died in alcohol-related crashes on Ohio’s roads, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol statistics. Overall, alcohol contributed to a third (33.3%) of Ohio’s 2020 fatal crashes.

Nationally, drunk driving crashes kill an average of 30 people every day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That’s one person every 50 minutes.

“Alcohol-related crashes and deaths are completely preventable,” said Kimberly Schwind, senior manager, public affairs with AAA Ohio Auto Club. “Regardless of what your New Year’s celebrations look like this year, we urge all Ohioans to think of the implications before getting behind the wheel impaired.”

Preventing Drunk Driving:It’s up to everyone to make decisions that help prevent alcohol-related crashes.

-Plan ahead: If you plan on drinking, stay home to celebrate, designate a sober driver or arrange for alternative transportation to get home safely.

-Enjoy mocktails: If you plan on driving, celebrate with some fun non-alcoholic mocktails instead of an alcoholic beverage. Party hosts should remember Ohio’s host liability law holds those who serve alcohol liable for injury or death that occurs if their impaired guests cause a crash.

AAA Ohio Auto Club has pulled together some of its favorite mocktail recipes to enjoy during New Year’s celebrations.

These are available at AAA.com/Mocktails

Remember, driving sober is an individual’s responsibility.

AAA Ohio Auto Club will NOT pick up drivers who have had too much to drink.

Instead, the auto club urges drivers to plan ahead to ensure they get home safely.

From all of us at WKTN, Your Region-Your Radio, Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

Written by: WKTN Staff

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