December is National Drunk Driving Awareness Month Published Dec. 9, 2014 By Wilson Lamonte 436th Medical Operations Squadron DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- December is National Drunk Driving Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The holiday season is the time of year when drunk and impaired driving accidents are most prevalent. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day are often filled with social events and entertainment. While this holiday season will be a time for social gathering, cheerful festival events, and celebration with family and friends, it will also be a period of time of increased risk for those people who do not exercise good judgment. For those partygoers who drink too much and get behind the wheel, the risks associated with driving while impaired is very real and can result in tragic consequences for everyone involved. Many people down play the issue, but statistics prove how serious drunk driving is. Accidents and personal injury caused by alcohol and impaired drivers are the most frequently committed violent crimes in America. Drunk or impaired driving causes approximately 1/3 of the traffic fatalities in the United States. On average, someone in the U. S. is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes. Approximately 75% of fatal accidents occurring between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m. involve alcohol. Even at a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .02, alcohol can affect a person's response time and driving ability. The probability of a crash increases significantly after .05 BAC and even more rapidly after .08 BAC. A driver with a BAC of .08 is 11 times more likely to be in a fatal accident than a driver who has not consumed alcohol. Most people would never imagine that their holiday celebration would result in an arrest, imprisonment, or fatality; however the risk and consequences are severe when judgment is compromised. For military members who drink and drive the consequences are detrimental. Military members that choose to drink and drive are not only putting their lives and other lives at risk, but they are placing their careers in jeopardy. An Air Force career can be ruined by an Airman not having a plan, not sticking to a plan, or by taking a poorly calculated risk to get behind the wheel and drive. The consequences of a DUI offense will have a wide reaching impact. If the offense is handled off base, the member can expect to have expensive court and legal fees to pay, which can range from $1,000-$5,000; potential for license/driving privileges suspended; mandatory alcohol education classes, which can range from $500-$1,000 and a loss of work due to required court appearances. As far as consequences on the military side, the member will automatically lose their ability to drive on a military installation for one year. The member will not be allowed to operate a government owned vehicle, which may impact their ability to perform their primary duties. The administrative consequences can include: an Article 15, loss of rank, and forfeiture of pay. In addition, the member may have an Unfavorable Information File (UIF) and/or be placed on a Control Roster (CR), and receive a referral Enlisted/Officer Performance Report (EPR/OPR), which will impact the member's ability to promote and to make satisfactory progress through their career. At the end of the day, the cost of a 12-pack and a night of festive celebration are not worth the loss of a career or the risk of personal injury and potential for the loss of life. Driving Under the Influence prevention and awareness is always a top priority for Air Force leadership, and it is especially important during the holiday season. Every Airman plays a significant role in educating, preventing, and reducing the risk factors associated with this behavior. If you are hosting a party or simply attending a party where alcohol is being served, below are some guidelines to follow. The following list includes a few simple tips for celebrating and driving safely this holiday season: · Designate a non-drinking driver ahead of time. · If drinking alcohol at a celebration, allow at least one hour between drinks. It takes approximately one hour to process one drink from your body. (one drink is equal to 12 oz. beer, 5 oz. wine, or 1.5 oz. hard liquor) · Set limits beforehand on the number of drinks to have and stick to it. · Alternate drinking alcoholic beverages with soda, water, or juice and eat food. · Don't ride with someone who is impaired. Use a designated driver or call Dover Airman Drunk Driving (DADD) at (302)-677-6000. · Don't mix alcohol with medication, including over-the-counter medications. If you are hosting the party where alcohol will be served, here are steps to take to help your guest arrive home safely: · Plan ahead and have designated drivers. · Collect each guest's keys upon arrival and store away from guest. · Serve food along with alcohol-free beverages such as soda, juice, or water. · If making alcoholic punch, use fruit juice instead of a carbonated drink. Alcohol absorbs faster into the blood stream when mixed with carbonated drinks. · Stop serving alcohol at least 1 to 2 hours before the party will end. As we enter into this holiday season of celebration, it is a time for reflection and spending time with family, friends, and love ones. Please take the extra time to use sound judgment, good risk management practices, and the Wingman concept to the fullest extent. Let's all enjoy this holiday time safely and responsibly by exercising good choices for ourselves and our fellow Airman. If you or someone you know have concerns about alcohol or substance abuse problems, please contact the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program (ADAPT) at (302)-677-2674 for assistance.