The Sobering Statistics:

Labor Day weekend often takes a grim turn due to intoxicated driving incidents. Consider these eye-opening statistics:

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, over one-third of traffic fatalities during Labor Day weekend involved drunk drivers.
• On average, every 52 minutes, a life is lost due to an intoxicated driving crash in the United States.
• In 2019 alone, drunk driving claimed 10,142 lives—lives that could have been spared by responsible decisions.

Tipsy Driving Is Drunk Driving:

One of the greatest misconceptions is the belief that “tipsy” driving is safer than full-blown drunk driving. In reality, even a small amount of alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Any alcohol in your system increases the risk of a crash.

It’s vital to recognize that “buzzed” driving is not a separate category—it’s a form of drunk driving that endangers lives and breaks the law. The only safe choice is to hand over the keys if you’ve consumed alcohol.

Avoiding Drunk Driving:

While the danger is clear, avoiding intoxicated driving is easier than you might think. Here are some smart alternatives:

• Designated Driver: Appoint a sober friend to be the designated driver for the night. This responsible choice keeps everyone safe.
• Rideshare Services: Utilize rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft to get home safely without putting yourself or others at risk.
• Public Transportation: If available, opt for buses, trains, or other public transit options to reach your destination.
• Stay Overnight: If you’re at a friend’s place or an event, consider staying overnight instead of attempting to drive back after drinking.

Driving Skills with a Twist:

As Labor Day approaches, why not take a proactive step towards safer driving? Comedy Defensive Driving offers a unique solution that merges learning with laughter. Sign up for their online defensive driving course to brush up on your skills and become a more confident, responsible driver.

With a dash of humor, this course covers essential topics while keeping you engaged. It’s an opportunity to boost your driving acumen and ensure that the roads are safer for everyone.

As we savor the final moments of summer, let’s do so responsibly. The dangers of drunk driving cast a long shadow over celebrations, but with awareness and action, we can make a difference. Remember, tipsy driving is drunk driving—don’t gamble with lives. Make smart choices, enjoy the holiday responsibly, and invest in honing your skills with a touch of comedy and defensive driving.

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This holiday season (and any other occasion!), please don’t drink and drive. It’s great to have fun, and It’s easy to think you are under the limit of intoxication, but far too many times people underestimate how much alcohol they have drank and how impaired they actually are.

There are so many options available for getting home safely these days, Uber, Lyft and Juno, just to name a few.  Check out this list of ride share apps: https://www.ridester.com/list-of-ridesharing-companies/

First, start with taking a ride share to the location you are going to so you don’t have to worry about leaving your car overnight if you can’t drive.   This will force you to ride share home whether you have drank too much or not.

Designated Drivers

Having a friend in your group stay sober so they can be your designated driver is great, but does that really ever happen?  Well, statistics say that it does work approximately 75% of the time.  What happens the other 25% of the time?  Your dd may have 1 or 2 drinks early on and think that the alcohol will be gone from their system prior to driving, this is definitely risky, but if the dd has knowledge of how they are affected by alcohol, they may be able to pull this off safely.

The cost of a DWI

The DWI costs can vary from state to state, in Texas a first time offense can cost up to $20,000.  At that price a ride share at $20 bucks seems darn cheap.  Something to think about is not just the DWI fine itself, but all the ancillary charges associated with it, such as;

• Court fines, surcharges and costs
• Lawyer fees
• Time spent in jail or prison (loss of income)
• Bail bonds
• Driver’s license suspension
• Community service (do you dream about picking up trash on the roadside?)
• Educational programs driving
• Educational programs for drinking alcohol
• Auto insurance premium increases
• Vehicle towing and impound fees

Please don’t drink and drive, the solutions around it are easier than ever.  The statistics on DWI’s and traffic fatalities are really staggering, you don’t want to be one of them.

Comedy Defensive Driving®

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  If there was ever a time to think traffic fatalities should decrease, it would be during a global pandemic where most people are staying home and driving less. Unfortunately, that was not the case for 2019-2021. In fact, traffic fatalities increased almost 19%. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) an estimated 38,680 people died in motor vehicle crashes. This is the largest projected number of fatalities since 2007. This traffic accident statistic shocked those in the highway safety industry because data shows there are much fewer vehicles on the road. In this article we will break down the NHTSA’s research and beliefs for why traffic fatalities have increased but the drive time of the average American has significantly decreased.

Less cars but faster speeds

Speed is believed to be one of the main factors as to why we are seeing more fatal crashes. Recently we wrote a blog about the large increase in speeding tickets reported by officials during early pandemic days. Not only were more drivers being pulled over for going above the speed limit, there was a very large increase in extreme speeds. Extreme speeds is defined as going 20 mph above the speed limit. Erie insurance conducted a study a found the following;

“One in 10 drivers (11%) admitted to driving at extreme speeds (20 mph or more over the speed limit) much more often than normal during the early months of the pandemic. As for what they observed about other drivers, a third (33%) said it seemed like a lot more drivers than normal were speeding and of those, nearly six in 10 (57%) said they noticed more drivers going at extreme speeds.”

Speeding itself is dangerous and a large part of traffic incidents in the US. Extreme speeding is even worse. Going 20 mph above a speed limit doesn’t allow cars enough time to slow down for a crash. The difference can be life or death. Remember to slow down while driving, it isn’t worth the extreme minutes saved.

An increase in driving while under the influence

Along with increased speeds, there has been an extremely large jump in the number of DUI’s and DWI’s. Driving under the influencer accounted for 11,654 deaths. Drunk Driving as a whole accounted for 30% of all road fatalities. According to the NHTSA this past year was one of the most deadly. We have steadily seen an increase in alcohol sales since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020. Although alcohol sales don’t seem to be slowing down, driving under the influence defiantly can! Remember to order a ride, designate a driver and don’t let your friends drive home drunk. If you see someone leaving a bar intoxicated don’t be afraid to let them know driving home is illegal and extremely dangerous.

Seatbelts

This next reason given by the NHTSA surprised us. People are not wearing their seatbelts!! There has been an increase in fatalities where the driver and/or passengers were not buckled in correctly. This is easily one of the most avoidable problems. There is no reason to not where your seatbelt. No matter what seat you are sitting in! In fact the safest spot in the car is also the most deadly. The back middle seat in a vehicle can be both depending on whether or not someone is buckled in. The reason less people are wearing their seatbelts is most likely due to less cars being on the road. This gives drivers and passengers a false sense of security. Even if the road is empty always buckle up. Make sure every one in the vehicle is properly wearing their seatbelt at all times! Don’t become a statistic.

As always we wish you safe driving, especially with the Fourth of July upon us. The Fourth of July is the most deadly day of the year for driving. Please be safe, order a ride share app if needed and buckle up!!

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SPEAKESIES IN CHICAGO

There are still some speakeasies that exist in Chicago, hidden behind a false wall. I’ve been to two of them. The best kept secrets to this day! The Drifter on North New Orleans Street and The Watershed on North State Street are in my opinion the best ones. But you’d have to try Chicago Magic Lounge on North Clark Street where you enter through a laundry mat, or if only because they have a drink called “How Houdini Died.” Bordel on North Division Street has that dim-lit 20’s feel and décor as well as a cool burlesque show. Now you too are in on the “secret.” And, although alcohol is legal now, you still feel like you’re kinda doing something naughty.

HOW PROHIBITION STARTED

Prohibition was the attempt to outlaw the production and consumption of alcohol in the U.S. It began primarily as a religious movement in the early 19th century. So, that’s how prohibition started. Drinking alcohol was not actually outlawed, but prohibited the manufacture, sale or transportation of it. In 1920, the Feds put a ban on alcohol. Chicago was the nation’s breeding ground for speakeasies. Even though alcohol is legal now when handled responsibly, even everclear grain alcohol has an alcohol content of 190-195%! I would consider that legal moonshine.

THE END OF PROHIBITION

Franklin D Roosevelt signed into law the Cullen-Harrison Act, legalizing beer, wine and alcohol with a 3.2% content. Because, hey, even a president needs to get his drink on! That’s a stressful job. In fact, the ending of Prohibition was one of his selling points when running for president. I would assume that contaminants in the distilling process in a hillbilly’s shed in the woods out back that caused people to lose their eyesight and then put a lump in their liver was yet another reason to end prohibition. Proper, regulated distilling methods are definitely the way to go.

Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

100 YEARS SINCE PROHIBITION – Comedy Defensive Driving

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OPERATION CARE’S ROLE IN ACCIDENT REDUCTION

State police and highway patrol agencies have joined together with the goal of reducing human suffering on our highways. And it is the only national program designed to draw ALL state level law enforcement agencies together to achieve common goals of traffic accident reduction. Their efforts created the standardized field sobriety testing and the support of mandatory seat belt use legislation back in 1984. And I do remember when a driver could have an open container in the car as well as when you did not have to wear a seat belt. Your mom’s forearm was your seat belt.

MOVE OVER/SLOW DOWN LAW

And now, efforts are also focusing on enforcement of the Move Over/Slow Down Law. Passed in 2003, this law requires motorists to move over or slow down 20mph below the posted speed limit when passing emergency vehicles or service vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights flashing. This includes Police, Ambulance, Fire Trucks, Tow Trucks, the Department of Transportation, etc. These workers risk their lives every day for us. And their safety is particularly vulnerable while working on the side of the road.

Today all 50 states, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec are involved in C.A.R.E.

Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

OPERATION CARE – Comedy Defensive Driving

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VINTAGE ALCOHOL LAWS IN TEXAS

When I moved to Texas in the late 1970’s, everyone in the car could possess an open container, even the driver. I thought you’d get a ticket if you didn’t drink and drive in Texas. The open container law evolved to where everyone in the car could possess an open container, except the driver. Thus, if being pulled over, the driver could just hand their drink over to a passenger. Then, later, it was okay as long as the open container wasn’t within reach of the driver. Heck, the drinking age then was 18 as well! Then it was raised to 19 for a few years, and eventually went back to 21 to purchase or drink alcohol.

CURRENT OPEN CONTAINER LAW IN TEXAS

If you do find yourself at that party and you are asked to bring that open container home with you, it is imperative that you put it in the trunk of your car (with a really long straw). If you happen to have a truck, it must be kept in the bed of the truck, preferably secured within a cooler or tool box. You may have an SUV or mini-van that does not have a trunk. Then you must keep it secured behind the last seat. I suppose, so it doesn’t roll around and break, hence, a cracked open container!

Until next week…

Daun Thompson

Writer / Comedienne / Artist

OPEN CONTAINER LAW – Comedy Defensive Driving

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RIDE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU

What you may not know is there are organizations available for a fee that will actually send two drivers to your requested pickup location. One driver drives you to your requested drop off location and the second driver follows you. This way, you don’t have to leave your car behind where it could be towed, stolen or vandalized. Nothing’s worse than lying in bed, spinning drunk and worrying about your car.

WHERE CAN I GET A SOBER RIDE

I recall years ago, the only organization that offered this service was Wingman Service. Now, there are many to choose from. Here’s a list (just to name a few) so you can make your own choice.
• SOFER’D is a team of drivers that drive their members and vehicles home safely. Members always get home safely and avoid leaving their vehicle unprotected. Again, this is a membership. You can become a member by downloading their app or go to SOFERD.com to become a member.
• Soberrides.org helps you make a plan with a list of resources and optional modes of transportation to get a sober ride home.
• AAA clubs around the country are offering free rides to folks who’ve celebrated too much to safely get behind the wheel. They’ll also tow your car home free of charge! Amazingly, this service is available even if you’re not an AAA member.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention says that the average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before their first arrest. Don’t be that guy! If you think your drinks were expensive, just wait til you get a d.w.i. Just like the clerk says to me all the time at Neiman Marcus “You can’t afford it!”

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

GETTING A SOBER RIDE HOME – Comedy Defensive Driving

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COMPARING DROWSY DRIVING TO DRUNK DRIVING

We all know when we’ve had a little too much to drink and shouldn’t drive. But signs of fatigue are said to be hard to identify. And they are both just as fatal. The similarities of driving drowsy or under the influence of alcohol include a slower reaction time, inattention or decreased awareness to hazardous situations and impaired judgment. Both are said to be three times more likely to cause a crash. Driving after 20 hours without sleep is also the equivalent of driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 (which is the legal limit).

DETERMINING WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH

Of course it is difficult to determine the cause of a fatal crash due to drowsy driving. According to The National Sleep Foundation, there are a number of clues at the crash site that indicate this particular cause. Usually there is only one vehicle involved in the crash and the only person in the vehicle is the driver. Also, their injuries tend to be less life-threatening since they were likely asleep (completely relaxed) at the wheel when the crash occurred. Plus, no skid marks on the road (only in their undershorts).

GETTING THE POLICE INVOLVED

Of course there are tests to determine if a driver has been drinking. But there is no blood test, breath test or other objective test for drowsiness behind the wheel. This makes it difficult for police to identify drowsiness as the cause. But several states have passed laws where the police can charge a driver with criminal negligence if they injure or kill someone while driving while sleep impaired.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

NATIONAL DROWSY DRIVING PREVENTION WEEK – Comedy Defenisive Driving

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TEXTING v.s. DRINKING COMPARISONS

• Inability to maintain a single lane, or to stay in your own lane.
• Number of accidents and fatalities incurred as a result.
• Both are illegal.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

If a driver begins to drift out of their own lane, a law enforcement officer may assume that they have been drinking and may pull them over with due cause. And don’t expect mercy as you are explaining that there was no alcohol involved, yet there was a severe distraction. We are all aware that driving while intoxicated carries stiff fines and penalties and could possibly remain on your driving record indefinitely. While distracted driving is considered less severe, legally and financially, both are equally as dangerous.

Nearly everyone knows of someone who has had a family member killed by a drunk driver. If we don’t get a grip on the texting while driving situation, these people will also suffer the loss of loved ones killed by someone who couldn’t wait to finish a message.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

INTEXTICATION AND INTOXICATION – Comedy Defensive Driving

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What Else Has Changed

Another new law passed in Texas that you must be 18 years of age to purchase cough syrup. Cough syrup? Don’t even get me started! Heck, we had trash can punch at our prom in the high school gym with everclear grain alcohol in it. The drinking age was 18 in Texas in the late 70’s. Then it went up to 19 and “hovered” there for awhile. It eventually went back up to 21. At some point, I believe the drinking age was 4 (maybe that was in other countries). I remember taking my sister out drinking on Greenville Avenue when she was 12. We didn’t want to stay home and “babysit” so we put makeup on her like a baby hooker and took her with us. She ordered a “mom” drink and blew her cover. Ugh!

Are Alcohol Laws Moving Backwards?

In the 70’s, everyone in the car could have an open container, even the driver. I thought you’d get a ticket if you “didn’t” drink and drive in Texas. So, this new law is sure to get some ribbing. Beer to go and booze delivery is the new thing. You can purchase no more than a 12 pack of beer at a brewery, and get it to go. You can also order booze from a food delivery service and have them bring the booze right to your house (or jail cell).  But they probably won’t bring you cigarettes.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson

Writer / Comedienne / Artist

HOW TEXAS LAWS HAVE CHANGED  – Comedy Defensive Driving School

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