Prevent Drunk Driving Accidents: Nationwide Campaign
1 in 4 people killed over Labor Day weekend in 2012 involved a car driver or motorcycle driver with a BAC almost double the legal limit. This is why there will be a nationwide effort to reduce drunk driving and drunk driving related car and motorcycle accidents over the Labor Day Weekend
Date of 2014 crack down: Friday August 15th to Monday September 1st.
The motorcycle campaign “Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over” is a branch of the over all Labor Day Crack Down: “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”. This part of the campaign is specifically targeted towards motorcycle drivers and passengers due to the large percentage of fatal crashes per registered motorcycles.
What will the campaign do to prevent drunk driving ?
There will be several ways the campaign will be enacted
- Public Awareness: Signs, TV and web Ads, High Visibility Kick-off Events
- Added Police Patrols and Overall police Units
- The No Refusal Program: Officers will be able to quickly take blood samples from drivers suspected of drunk driving, if they refuse a breathalyzer
- Sobriety Check Points: In high traffic areas and places with a history of fatal car accidents and motorcycle wrecks
Why a Focus on Motorcycle Riders?
Motorcycle-related deaths have increased by 55% since 2000 (cdc.gov). This is one reason for this year’s Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign. Part of the nationwide Labor Day Crackdown by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), The campaign targets drunk drivers in an effort to reduce drunk driving related fatalities. Motorcycle riders are receiving special attention because more than 1 in 4 motor cycle riders that were killed in 2012 were legally drunk. The NHTSA states that the percentage of drunk motorcycle riders fatally injured goes up 64% on weekend nights.
Motorcycle Fatalities: Prevention that’s Proven to Work
The end of Summer and the start of Autumn is a great time to get out and ride. Make sure to stay safe by following these three Rules
Always where a DOT Approved Helmet while riding
- The NHTSA estimates wearing a motorcycle helmet reduces the chance of death in a motorcycle crash by 37%.
- Almost half (42%) of motorcyclists fatally injured in 2010 were not wearing a helmet.
- Riders without helmets are 40% more likely to die from a head injury than someone wearing a helmet
- In the state of Tennessee riders of all ages are required to wear a helmet while on a motorcycle
Don’t drive drunk
- More than 1 in 4 (27%) of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2012 were legally drunk
- The percentage of drunk motorcycle riders fatally injured goes up 64% on weekend nights
Daytime Headlight
- Make sure your headlight is on even during the day time. This helps you to be seen by other drivers and increases your safety
- Tennessee State Law requires motorcycle drivers to have their headlights on during the daytime
Remember: If you are the motorcycle driver, you have a high risk of being the one killed in a fatal accident.
