Steamboat Pilot & Today

The holidays are a wonderful time of year filled with celebrations, time with loved ones and good cheer. But for the 775 families whose loved ones were killed during December 2010 in alcohol-impaired crashes, the joyous celebrations ended in disaster.

That’s why Grand Futures Prevention Coalition is joining with highway safety partners and law enforcement organizations across the country to remind people that during the holidays and throughout the year, drinking alcohol and driving do not mix and that “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”

This holiday season, Grand Futures is encouraging people to take three simple steps to ensure their holiday celebrations don’t end in tragedy:

1. Plan ahead and be sure to designate a sober driver before the party begins.

2. If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Even one drink is too many and increases the risk of a crash while driving a motor vehicle. If you drink, find another way home. Use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation.

3. Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

Impaired driving does not just mean alcohol. Those using prescription medications or under the influence of other substances should take the same precautionary steps.

In addition, Grand Futures will feature free Impaired Driving Prevention fliers that employers can post at their place of work. Also available for free download is the R-U-Buzzed BAC Calculator app for iPhone and Android users. Visit www.grandfutures.org to download these free items.

The holidays should be a time for celebration, not tragedy. Please help us make Routt County’s roads safe by never driving after drinking. Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving, so never drink and drive.

Nick Moore

School resource officer for the Steamboat Spring Police Department and Routt County Advisory Board member for Grand Futures Prevention Coalition