The “100 Days of Summer,” jump-started by Memorial Day and running through Labor Day weekend, have proven to be the most dangerous and deadliest times of year on our nation’s highways. One big reason is a significant jump in alcohol-related traffic crashes and fatalities.
Labor Day weekend, summer’s last hurrah, shouldn’t end in a DUI arrest or tragedy. Besides the risk of injuring yourself or someone else in a crash, a DUI arrest and conviction can be a financial wrecking ball.
There are towing charges, impound fees, bail bonds, court costs, impact panel fees, alcohol assessment and treatment expenses and increased insurance rates, even if you didn’t hit anything or hurt anybody. Plus: Up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine for a first offense; wearing an electronic ankle bracelet costing a minimum of $15 a day; installing and paying up to $1,000 a year for ignition interlock; and – as much as $10,000 for a defense attorney
If you refuse to take the breath test, you could still face all these costs and lose your license for up to two years instead of 90 days.
In 2009 there were 206 people killed in DUI crashes in Washington State of 292 total motor vehicle fatalities. That’s 42 percent compared to 32 percent nationally the same year, and translates into 10,839 DUI deaths.
From 2008 to 2009, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities declined nationally and in 33 states. But not here. It rose 12.6 percent.
Convenience shouldn’t trump safety. The need to get a vehicle home shouldn’t override common sense. There’s too much at risk: losing your license, your money, your freedom, maybe your life and/or someone else’s.
People need to think and plan about how they’ll get home before they drink. Afterwards, judgment is impaired as well as reaction time.
So before you head out to that barbecue, picnic or party, choose your ride home — a taxi, a sober friend or NAS Whidbey’s Right Spirit Ride (914-7903).
If you happen to see an impaired driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement. And if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, help them make other arrangements.
Don’t let the last summer holiday be your — or someone else’s — last summer holiday.
JoAnn Hellmann is the director of the Impaired Driving Impact Panel of Island County, a nonprofit aimed at deterring driving under the influence and underage drinking.
Information from The Century Council, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Costs shown are for first-time DUI offenders. Costs and penalties are often more severe for repeat offenders or if blood-alcohol content is above 0.15%.
