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In March, millions of college students across the US take a Spring Break vacation. Florida, and especially Miami, have long been popular destinations for Spring Break, due to the area’s beaches and warm climate. Unfortunately, experts are warning that Spring Break could cause a spike in injuries and car accidents in popular vacation destinations.

Unfortunately, Spring Break has become somewhat synonymous with alcohol and many college students on break do indulge in alcohol when relaxing away from classes. This can lead to alcohol poisoning, more Miami car accidents, and more injuries overall. According to the CDC, young people are more likely to suffer a fatal injury or serious injury due to alcohol-related accidents during Spring Break. Luckily, there are also many things that college students can do to have a safe Spring Break:

1) Rely on taxis rather than on rental cars. In cities such as Miami, taxis are plentiful and can be much safer than renting a car, since students do not have to worry about parking the car or getting it back after a night out. As well, taxi drivers are more familiar with Miami streets than visitors, which can also help curb Miami traffic accidents. Taxis, when shared, can also be less expensive than renting a car.

2) Wear practical shoes when going out. Miami car accidents aren’t the only thing that students have to worry about. Drinking can lead to an overall loss of coordination which can easily lead to trips and falls.

3) Designate a driver – even if no one will be driving. Even if no one plans on driving, having a designated driver is important. That person can get help if anyone trips and falls, drinks too much, or shows signs of being ill.

4) Avoid binge drinking. Binge drinking is not only dangerous because it leads to Miami drunk driving accidents. Binge drinking is also dangerous in and of itself, and can lead to liver and heart problems as well as alcohol poisoning and other dangerous conditions. Drinking in moderation is always the safer choice.

5) Avoid walking to the hotel after a night of drinking. While walking is safer than drinking and driving, it can easily lead to a Miami pedestrian accident. Intoxicated pedestrians can wander into traffic or can make poor decisions at crosswalks, so taking a taxi is a better choice. Intoxicated students can also be an easier target for criminals, so staying together and taking a taxi back to the hotel is the safer option.

6) Have contacts in place and a way of contacting someone for help. A cell phone and a list of friends you can call at any time can help you avoid poor decisions such as drinking and driving.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Santa Fe College will host a safe spring break event before sending students off in March. The event seeks to discourage binge drinking through incentives for students. Check back after Santa Fe’s break for an update on the success of this endeavor. Read the full article here.

Choose Responsibility Blog

We are excited to be visiting six middle schools in five different states this week. Today, we had a great visit to Wilson Southern Middle School with Congressman Gerlach in Sinking Spring, PA.

The kids were energetic and ready to play the game after Congressman Gerlach and The Century Council taught them how to “say ‘YES’ to a healthy lifestyle and ‘NO’ to underage drinking.”

They sure knew what they were doing! We’d like to thank Congressman Gerlach for his commitment to youth fitness and the kids at Wilson Southern Middle School for their energy and enthusiasm and we are sure they will make a great addition to the Ask, Listen, Learn Team!

Century Council Blog

So, I went online to see what was being said about spring break and drinking and ran across this blog post that I could relate to, except the age of the writer.

With three little ones myself, the messages in the media including TV and film tread lightly usually on underage drinking. If we all grow up with TV and movies how much of our subconscious takes in the messages? It seems drinking underage is part of college, part of high school parties, part of media and unless teens have strong, positive self esteem and role models, they may be persuaded to “fit in.”

Now, down the road, after the teen enjoys spring break too much, and somehow consistently drinks and graduates high school or college and the real world settles in, what happens? Many are then addicted to alcohol in some degree and may have additional troubles including drunk driving, holding down a job or staying healthy.

A little underage drinking is too much. Once our society and all adults in it believe this too, spring break might just go back to beach blanket bingo and Frankie and Annette days–Not!

Blog to Eliminate Drunk Driving