Memorial Day weekend, besides being the unofficial start to summer, is also one of the deadliest times of year on the nation’s roads, and impaired driving is a large part of the problem.

To help ensure a safe holiday weekend, all active duty personnel, military dependents over age 12 and civilian workers at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island are invited to attend an Impaired Driving Impact Panel of Island County presentation on May 26.

The reserving command is Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, but organizers say there are plenty of seats still available for this safety training. The panel will start at 1 p.m. at the Skywarrior Theater. There is no late admittance, so those attending are encouraged to be seated by 12:45 p.m.

The IDIPIC program is endorsed by the Naval Safe Center, Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program and NAS Whidbey. The panel can be used for year-round education as well as pre-deployment and holiday safety emphasis; personnel who may have alcohol or other drug issues; personnel, their dependents and Department of Defense members who have been arrested for DUI or minor in possession; or personnel sent to Captain’s Mast for alcohol or other drug issues.

“Impairment starts with the first drink. It affects your judgement,” said IDIPIC director JoAnn Hellmann. “Studies show your reaction and thinking are off. So many people mishear what we’re saying. It’s about being a responsible drinker, driver, host or parent.”

To schedule attendance for your group or command, or for future base panels, contact Hellmann at 672-8219 or email her at idipic@idipic.org. For information on IDIPIC or its panels, go to www.idipic.org.