Drunk driving is a killer on the roads all year round, but data shows that the tradition of celebrating the holidays with alcohol leads to an increase of traffic crashes and resulting deaths and injuries. Nationwide, the holiday season is a particularly deadly time due to drunk drivers on the roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32,367 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2011, and 31 percent (9,878) of those fatalities occurred in drunk-driving-related crashes. Drinking and driving endangers not only the driver but also passengers and others driving on the road.
To help keep the party off the road on New Year’s Eve, the annual Safe Ride Home program will be provided as a community service by Grace Community Church in combined effort with WBNO-WQCT Radio and Safe Communities, Williams County Health Department.
On New Year’s Eve from 9:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. volunteers from Grace Community Church in Bryan will pick you up at any home, tavern, party, club, or organization in Williams County and provide you a safe ride home to locations within Williams County. And, best of all, this service is FREE. You may call 419-636-5449 and reserve a safe ride home before the party or you may call on New Year’s Eve. To reserve a Safe Ride Home, call 419-636-5449 and leave a message.
Driving while impaired is a crime that seriously risks your safety and the safety of those around you. Whether you have had one too many or are way over the limit, drunk driving is not worth causing a traffic crash, serious injury, or worse—death.
The legal and financial costs of driving while impaired can be significant. Drunk-driving violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost wages due to time off from work.
According to Shannon Cooley, Administrator at Grace Community Church, last year 23 safe rides home were provided. The Safe Ride Home can help keep our roads safer this year too. Whether you’ve had one or one too many, always hand the keys to a sober driver or call 419-636-5449 for a Safe Ride Home.
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