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Safe Holiday Driving
updated: Dec 11, 2012, 6:00 PM
Source: Santa Barbara CHP
CHP TO HOLD END OF YEAR HOLIDAY PRESS CONFERENCE
On Friday, December 14, 2012, at 10:00 AM, Santa Barbara CHP Captain Marty
Maples will host a press conference along with other local emergency responders
and community leaders at the CHP office to promote safe driving during this Holiday
Season, and to reinforce the importance of traffic safety on SR-154.
Captain Maples will emphasize the importance of making responsible decisions when it
comes to drinking and driving - and the consequence if one does not.
"We want everyone to be able to enjoy celebrating the holidays, said Captain Marty
Maples, "But if you're going to be drinking, arrange in advance to have a designated
driver who will not be drinking alcohol." "There is zero tolerance by law enforcement
agencies as well as the public for preventable property damage, injuries, and deaths
caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
To assist in keeping local roadways safe, the Office of Traffic Safety's "Avoid the
Twelve" program will provide additional law enforcement officers for patrol and sobriety
checkpoints during the period. "If you are driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, you
will go to jail; if you are stopped for exceeding the speed limit, talking on a cell phone or
not wearing your seat belt, you will receive a citation," added Captain Maples.
The press conference will begin at 10:00 AM at the Santa Barbara CHP office.
A vehicle recently involved in a major collision will be on display, as well as emergency
vehicles from the participating agencies. The media is encouraged to arrive early for
set up and pre-press conference interviews.
CHP'S HOLIDAY SAFE DRIVING TIPS
Don't mix alcohol and driving. If you're going to celebrate with alcohol, have
a designated driver targeted to get you home safely. If you're not going to
drink, offer to be a designated driver for a friend or family member. Avoid
"party hopping" after you have been drinking. If you park downtown and go to
nightclubs or restaurants and drink, leave your car parked overnight and take a
taxi home.
If you're hosting a party, don't have an "open bar" but have a person designated
to serve and regulate alcohol. Also, have plenty of non-alcoholic drinks, food,
and coffee available. Assist your guests who have been drinking in finding an
alternate way of getting home; i.e. taxi cabs, a designated driver, etc.
Leave early for your party. Watch your speed and remember to treat other
motorists like you want to be treated - don't speed, follow too closely, or change
lanes unsafely.
Make sure that you and all passengers in the vehicle are wearing a seatbelt. It
is your responsibility to ensure that all children six years of age or younger are
using an approved car seat or booster seat and are seated in the rear seat.
Hang up the phone! In 2011, CHP officers issued over 135,000 citations to
distracted drivers talking or text messaging on hand-held cell phones. Hands-
free devices make great holiday gifts. Avoid the possibility of receiving a citation
or being involved in a collision this holiday season by keeping your hands on the
wheel and your full attention to your driving.
Don't drive when you're tired. Fatigue can affect your driving as much as alcohol.
A tired driver won't react quickly to hazards ahead and his or her judgment will be
impaired. If you're planning a long trip, rest beforehand, take frequent breaks to
refresh yourself, and share the driving duties with the others in your vehicle.
With many people attending parties or family gatherings, be especially watchful
for pedestrians - not just at crosswalks, but also around parked cars, near
restaurants and in residential areas.
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