Holiday Season Safety Media Availability NA24161dc

WHAT:
Media availability

WHEN:
Thursday, December 19, 2024
5:00 a.m.

WHERE:
Valley Traffic Division
7870 Nollan Place
Panorama City CA, 91402

WHO:
LAPD Sergeant Stephen Slinsky, Valley Traffic Division
LAPD Officer Sal Venegas, Valley Traffic Division
LAPD Officer Ryan Bronk, Valley Traffic Division
LAPD Officer Peter Nguyen, Valley Traffic Division
LAPD Officer Chad Dellinger, Valley Traffic Division

WHY:
In December 2021, 1,013 people died nationwide in drunk driving traffic crashes – the most since 2007. From 2017 to 2021, NHTSA recorded more than 4,500 deaths in drunk driving traffic crashes during the month of December. The tragedy of these deaths is felt year-round, but for many, most strongly during the holidays.

During the 2018-2022 December months nationwide, there were 4,759 people killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. In December 2022 alone, 1,062 people died in alcoholimpaired-driving crashes.

From 2019-2021, NHTSA conducted a study at several trauma centers and medical examiner offices involving drivers who were seriously injured or killed. The study found that about 26% of those drivers had active THC, which is found in marijuana, in their system.

Drivers can
• Avoid using handheld electronic devices.
• Remember that as soon as you step out of your car, you become a pedestrian.
• If you see an impaired driver or impaired pedestrian on the road, contact local law enforcement.
• Be especially alert for all road users, including pedestrians, at night.
• Slowdown in areas where pedestrians are likely to be or where sight distances
are limited such as Shopping Centers and Malls. Keep your windshield clean.

Pedestrians can:
• Follow the rules of the road at driveways and intersections. Cross with a traffic signal if there is one and even if you have the right of way, make sure traffic has stopped or passed before you step into the street. This will be easier to do if electronic devices do not distract you from picking up visual and auditory
information about traffic.

A few safety tips for adults.
• Before the Holliday festivities begin, plan a way to get home safely at the end of the night. Alcohol affects judgment, balance, and reaction time. Create a “buddy system” to get each other home safely. Call a cab or your community’s Sober Ride program, take public transportation, or use NHTSA’s Safer Ride app to help you call a sober friend or family member to pick you up. Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as driving impaired.

The average DUI costs $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, and more.

Drinking and driving can cause you to lose your driver’s license and your vehicle. This could prevent you from getting to work, resulting in lost wages and, potentially, job loss.

If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI.

CONTACT:
For more information, please contact Sergeant Stephen Slinsky, Valley Traffic Division 818-644-8146.