It’s Summer Time

“Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, those days of soda and pretzels and beer”. Those lyrics from an old Nat King Cole song still fit today.

It’s summer time and many people are making the most of it, vacationing, going to the cottage, gathering with friends and family, swimming in the river, cruising the highway with the top down.  All these people are sharing the highways with the regular commuter and commercial traffic and all the Island visitors who are unfamiliar with our roads. And of course, many people make alcohol part of their summer activities and some of them also share the highway.

Those of us involved in traffic safety and crash reduction know that July and August are the critical high-risk months. According to a report by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, the summer is the worst time of the year for traffic fatalities, with more than 39 per cent of all traffic fatalities occurring during the summer months. It’s estimated that alcohol is a factor in almost 40 per cent of all traffic fatalities and a minimum of 50 per cent of all boating/drowning fatalities.

Statistics show that every two (2) days in Canada, nine (9) people are killed and two hundred fifty (250) people are injured in crashes directly related to drinking and driving.

There is a lot you can do to increase your family’s safety this summer. I would like to share with you some simple things you can do to make the roads safer for everyone. I found these Core Safety Tips on the Transport Canada website at www.tc.cg.ca.

Core safety tips

• Don’t drink and drive. Alcohol is a significant contributing factor in road fatalities. Almost two out of every five drivers killed have been drinking.
• Slow down. Excessive speed is a contributing factor in 20 per cent of occupant fatalities.
• Each year, 25 per cent of deaths and 40 per cent of serious injuries from vehicle collisions occur at intersections. Be careful, even when you have the right of way.
• Wear your seatbelt. Almost 40 per cent of all vehicle occupants killed in 2002 were not wearing a seatbelt. So whether you’re a driver or passenger, buckle up.
• When worn correctly, seatbelts save lives.  Lap belts should be kept low and snug over the hips, while shoulder belts should always be worn across the chest.
• Airbags save lives.  Because they deploy very quickly, you should sit at least 25 centimeters away from the air bag compartment and wear your seat belt.
• In summer, there are more people on the roads in many different kinds of vehicles. Remember to watch out for motor bikes and bicycles and be courteous to these road users.
• The safest place for kids under 12 is in the back seat. Have kids travel in the back seat, especially when there is an airbag for the passenger seat.
• About 70 per cent of automobile injuries to children can be prevented by using the correct car or booster seat for their height and weight.

And I found these tips on the ICBC website at www.icbc.com.

 Throwing a Party of Your Own

If you're organizing a party or social event where alcohol will be served, keep the following tips in mind:

• Know how your guests plan to get home. It’s better to arrange the drive home at the beginning of the evening so you know it’s there at the end.
• Offer lots of non-alcoholic drinks, like soft drinks, juice, or water. Or make up some fun mocktails — non-alcoholic cocktails suitable for any event. Don't force alcohol on anyone.
• Serve plenty of food and snacks. Alcohol works faster on an empty stomach; don't give it a chance.
• Keep a one-ounce glass at the bar and make using it a house rule. You'd be surprised at how many people overestimate the volume of an ounce, and so lose track of how much alcohol they're really drinking.
• If any of your guests has had too much to drink and still wants to drive home, it's your responsibility to stop them. Invite them to sleep at your house, find them a ride with someone else, take them home yourself, or call a cab. If they still insist on driving, call the police. You might save a life.

Using these tips won’t guarantee your safety or the safety of others. But they will go a long way towards reducing the dangers of the high risk months of July and August. Let’s all make an effort to make this a safe summer for everyone. Together we can make a difference.

Joan Parsons

President
Rid Roads of Impaired Drivers

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