Holiday Traffic Deaths, What We Can’t Do
Each year, the 4th of July is the deadliest day on the road in America. This year seems to have been no different. If you look up “4th of July car Accidents 2023” the list of news reports seem endless. Article after article, sate after state.
4th of July 2023 is expected to have had 5% more Americans driving to their destinations, 43.6 Million, the highest on record. 39% of traffic deaths in 2021 occurred in crashes caused by inhibited driving under the influence of alcohol (212/538 people). In recent years, nearly half of the drivers killed have been between the ages of 21-34 were drunk.
What can’t we do? Stop intoxication.
What we can do: Identify methods to prevent intoxicated driving and to stop injuries from driving while under the influence.
Transportation Availability: In some instances, public transportation is made more available and at a discounted rate (or free) on major holidays. How can we improve accessibility to alternative modes of transportation and inform the public of how to do so? Going beyond existing transportation options is a necessity. Even with these discounts and updated schedules, there remains a large portion of the population without public transportation access.
Ride Sharing: Today, ride sharing is very accessible. Everyone has the option at their fingertips with smartphones, which have become more accessible as well. There are areas that are less supported and unfortunately these areas are often far from public transit as well. Luckily, there are other options. Would an incentive to get people home in more inconvenient areas promote safe transportation over intoxicated vehicle operation? These services often offer discounts to promote safe transportation for major events, but cannot ensure the ride request will be accepted.
Technological Advancements: Technology does empower accessibility to transit options like bus schedules or ride-sharing, but it has much more potential. Applications are available to calculate blood-alcohol levels and pocket breathalyzers are becoming more affordable and present. Beyond this, manufacturers are working on implementing technology that prevents vehicles from starting if intoxication is detected using things like air detection and finger sensors. Bills being considered to advance this technology development and deployment with the RIDE Act and HALT act. Advancements against distracted driving like phones with car-modes and regulation have major impact potential as well.
DDs: Designated sober drives have always been a option with awareness around it, but unfortunately is not always implemented correctly or at all. The invidivual who has consumed the least is not the designated driver. The individual with the best driving is not the designated driver. A sober individual aware of their position and responsiibility is.
Seatbelts: Studies show that seatbelts are 45% effective in preventing fatalities in front-seat passengers. Like implementing technology to prevent drunk driving, newer vehicles are enhancing seatbelt reminders.
Education: In many places, driving school implores the fear of extreme consequences from drunk drivers. As time goes by, as drivers get more comfortable, as drivers education gets further, the initial awareness fades. How can we increase awareness? Some options include continuing education requrements and lighter presentation of information than scare tactics.
Addiction & Dependency Treatments: Those who are regularly intoxicated feel more confident in their abilities. As individuals may spend much of their time in this state, they then must complete day-to-day functions, including transporting themselves.
Publicized Checkpoints: Should be well publicized and conducted regularly for greatest impact. While checkpoints are proven to decrease impaired driving and supported by the majority of the population statistically, they are expensive to implement regularly
Implementation and Awareness of Response Methods: IID Ignition Interlock Devices, commonly referred to as a "Blow-and-Go” are installed in the vehicles of drunk driving offenders, requiring a blood alcohol level (BAC) breath-test to start a vehicle. If anything over 0 is detected, the vehicle will be inoperable. Treatment as part of offense is another proven method of improvement. Having to be sober for a period of time to start your vehicle does not educate on the personal and social impacts of these actions.
Beyond it being dangerous to yourself to drive impaired, making the decision to puts innocent people at risk
sources https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/impaired_driving/strategies.html [https://nap.nationalacademies.org/download/24951https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/drunk-driving/drive-sober-or-get-pulled-over/4th-july-drive-soberhttps://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/independence-day/https://www.wthr.com/article/news/investigations/13-investigates/vehicles-will-soon-have-built-in-sensors-to-prevent-drunk-driving-ignition-interlock-test-alcohol-detection/531-866571a8-37f2-48bf-8aae-a13f9fbea8df#:~:text='It's%20helping%20save%20lives'%20%7C,finger%20when%20starting%20the%20ignition.
