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***image1***KMC leadership is concerned as the soaring number of DUIs is expected to increase this holiday season.
“Unfortunately, you see a tragic jump in the number of alcohol-related highway fatalities between Thanksgiving and the new year,” said Terri A. Anderson, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Army Substance Abuse Program prevention coordinator.
Since January there have been 198 DUIs/DWIs in the KMC, surpassing last year’s total of 138. In 2002, the number was 166.
“The majority of people getting DUIs are active-duty members, Army and Air Force,” said Michael Velez, 435th Security Forces Squadron chief of reports and analysis. “And the big bulk of them happen between midnight and 5 a.m.”
Impaired drivers kill someone every 30 minutes, nearly 50 a day and almost 18,000 citizens a year, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The number of people injured because of impaired driving is hundreds of thousands each year.
The remedy to the problem is simple – give up the keys.
“Don’t wait until you are drunk to look for someone to hand the keys to,” said Joyce Patrick, LRMC Wellness Center director. “Designating a sober driver before a party begins is a simple step to take to prevent impaired driving.”
Other options are: call a taxi, take public transportation, call Airmen Against Drunk Driving at 0631-536-2233 or get a ride from a wingman.
Since 1981, every U.S. president has proclaimed December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month to educate Americans about the driving effects of drugs and alcohol. Even though alcohol is still the popular holiday party favor, prescription drug abuse is catching up quickly, said Ms. Anderson.
“We know that a lot of people drive under the influence of prescription drugs,” she said. “Combine those with the effects of alcohol, and you have a deadly highway combination.”
The Alcohol Treatment Facility, ASAP and Adolescent Substance Abuse Counseling Services set up a display in front of the LRMC Dining Facility Thursday to raise impaired driving awareness. The groups served non-alcoholic punch and distributed brochures packed with popular non-alcoholic holiday drinks and holiday safety tips.
Perhaps the greatest way to fight the problem is early education. Ms. Patrick suggested teaching children different one-line responses to refuse a drink without causing a scene.
“We need parents to talk to their kids about this stuff,” said Ms. Patrick. “Will kids listen? Maybe, maybe not. But we at least have to tell them.”
The range of punishment for DUIs varies with the blood alcohol content level and the unit commanders. Punishment can include everything from fines, jail time, suspension of license and Articles 15; while civilians and family members fall under German jurisdiction. In the end, risking a DUI is not worth it, said Mr. Velez.
“This holiday season if you catch a buzz, catch a ride,” said Ms. Anderson.
