The Thousand Oaks Police Department continues to promote traffic safety within the community. In an effort to recognize certain hazards while driving, the Traffic Bureau is continuing a monthly traffic awareness reminder program, addressing a traffic topic each month. While we focus on a specific topic each month, it’s always imperative to be aware and follow all rules of the road. The month of February is dedicated to “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”
California law states it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level equal to or greater than .08%. In addition, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of a drug or the combined influence of alcohol and drugs.
Here are some important facts you should know:
1. Impairment is not reliant upon the type of alcohol consumed, rather the number of drinks over a certain period of time. Despite myths and misconceptions, coffee, a cold shower, or exercise will not make a person more sober; only time will.
2. On average, a drunk driver will drive 80 times under the influence before their first arrest.
3. Every 51 minutes in America, someone is killed in a drunk driving crash. That equates to 27 people every day. Offer to be a designated driver to ensure that everybody gets home safe.
4. For drivers under 21, the U.S. has a “No Tolerance” policy that does not allow any alcohol to be in the blood system while behind the wheel. The consequences could include expensive fines, loss of license, or jail.
5. One recent study found that drivers who were “minimally buzzed” or “buzzed” were often to blame for fatal accidents. The term “minimally buzzed” includes drivers who had a BAC of .01, which is well within the legal limit. Researchers examined more than 570,000 fatal accidents. The results: Drinking and driving with any alcohol in the body is dangerous and leads to more severe accidents.
The Thousand Oaks Traffic Bureau urges citizens to drive responsibly. Designate a sober driver. Call a friend or family member for a ride or call a cab. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver Very Important Person) program was launched to raise awareness and the importance of using a designated sober driver to get home safely.
For more information on DDVVIP, Alcohol Impaired Driving, and more, visit:
https://www.ots.ca.gov/media-and-research/ddvip/
https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/buzzed-driving
http://venturacountylimits.org/en/prevention/impaired-driving/snapshot
https://www.adcouncil.org/Our-Campaigns/Safety/Buzzed-Driving-Prevention
https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/drunk-driving/buzzed-driving-drunk-driving
Thousand Oaks Police Department
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