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Many people at this time of year are planning their New Year’s Eve celebrations. If you are as well, it is important to plan well in advance not only to have a great time but also to avoid a Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident. Unfortunately, the New Year is a high-risk time for these types of Fort Lauderdale car accidents, since some revelers ring in the New Year by making bad decisions. To avoid this, there are several things you can do now to enjoy a safe and happy New Year’s Eve:

1) Consider your New Year’s Eve celebrations carefully. Most cities offer alcohol-free or family-friendly activities as well as other options. Choosing an alcohol-free event ensures that you will not be drinking and therefore are less at risk of a Fort Lauderdale car accident.

2) Consider taking public transportation to and from the event. Many areas offer free transportation or free late-night public transport for revelers on New Year’s Eve. Find out whether this is available in your area. If it is, you may wish to consider taking public transit to and from your New Year’s Eve celebration. This way, you will not even be tempted to drive after drinking. Before your New Year’s Eve celebration, print out information about the routes available using public transport as well as the hours public transportation is available.

3) Make plans for waiting if you will be getting a cab home. On most nights, if you want to avoid a Fort Lauderdale traffic accident caused by drunk driving, you can simply call a cab in order to get home safely. On New Year’s Eve, however, taxi cab companies are often overwhelmed with requests. It can be hard to reach a cab company and get a cab. If you do want a taxi, you will generally have a long wait in front of you. Therefore, you will want to plan ahead. Find ways to wait patiently. This may mean setting your mobile device to alert you about an hour before you want to leave your event. This way, you can call a cab company an hour before you want the taxi to show up. Another option is to find a 24-hour diner or another place to wait for a cab.

4) Do not rely on a designated driver or public transport alone. You may decide to stay out later than you expected, long after public transport is no longer available. Your designated driver may decide to drink after all or may leave earlier than you. To get home safely, have multiple plans in place so that you can get home safely, no matter how your night turns out.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

This blog has previously reported about some of the issues college students can face after being cited for a student offense, such as underage drinking. Alcohol or drug-related student offenses can land on a student’s permanent record, haunting the student in college, and beyond. Many agencies in North Carolina that are near a college campus look out for things, such as possession of a fake ID, as well as for evidence of potential underage alcohol offenses.

9 On Your Side News in Greenville recently reported that twice as many students at East Carolina University have been cited for underage drinking than those who faced such charges at this point last year. Law enforcement says that more than 80 ECU students have already been cited for underage drinking this semester.

But law enforcement apparently intends to up the ante. North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division officers are expected to crack down on underage alcohol offenses. This week marks the kickoff for ALE’s Back-to-School Operation, according to WNCT-TV.

ALE agents will especially be looking for underage drinkers in downtown clubs, according to an ALE Special Agent. He says that agents will be looking for people trying to get into clubs. He says that the enforcement efforts will also look at the clubs to make sure the establishments are adhering to state drinking laws.

ALE officials say that on average, they cite nearly 180 people for underage drinking each year during the first few weeks of school. The ALE, Back To School Operation reportedly runs through Saturday.

Source: WNCT 9 On Your Side, “ECU underage drinking citations have more than doubled this school year,” Katie Banks, Sep. 12, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

Davie car accidents seem very common during the summer months, when the news is filled with stories of serious accidents and roadway closures caused by collisions. One common cause of many Davie traffic accidents is fatigued driving. Fatigued driving can increase the risk of a Davie car crash in a number of ways. Fatigue, for example, can mean poorer motor control and response times. Studies have shown that driving when tired can result in the same poor motor control and slower response times as drunk driving. If you avoid drinking and driving to avoid a Davie drunk driving accident, you should also avoid driving tired to avoid a car accident.

Fatigue can mean micro-sleeps. When you are very tired, you may feel that you stay aware and awake but research has shown that you actually fall asleep for fractions of a second. This is the body’s way of getting much-needed sleep if you are severely exhausted and not taking the time to rest. You may have no recollection of these micro-sleep cycles but, of course, if they occur when you are behind the wheel of a car they can easily cause a devastating Davie pedestrian accident or traffic accident.

If you suffer from extreme fatigue, you can fall asleep at the wheel. Each year, Davie truck accidents and car accidents occur because an exhausted driver simply falls asleep while driving. When the body becomes so tired that even micro-sleep does not replenish the body, the body simply shuts down. When this occurs on the road, a driver loses complete control of their vehicle and the result is often a serious accident.

Even if you think that you are getting good sleep, you may still be driving tired. Many people assume that they are getting adequate sleep when in fact they are not. Even if you are getting eight hours of sleep a night you may suffer from sleep apnea or other sleeping disorders which can affect your driving ability. If you always wake up tired or find yourself sleepy during the day, even when you get adequate rest, speak with your doctor to find out whether you could have a sleep disorder that could be affecting the quality of rest you enjoy.

Summertime can exacerbate the effects of fatigue, so it especially important to be aware of the dangers of driving fatigued. The bright sun and high heat of Florida summers can lead to drowsiness and can be distracting, making it even harder for fatigued drivers to drive safely. Hot nights can also make it harder for those who already suffer from sleep disturbances to get a good night’s sleep.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Many people already have plans for New Year`s. Whether you already know how you will ring in 2012 or whether you are still considering options, you need to ensure that your plans include planning for safety. Unfortunately, New Year`s Eve means a higher than normal risk of Miami traffic accidents. With more people out celebrating the start of a new year and more people drinking at parties, it can be one of the more dangerous nights to be on the road. To stay safe:

1) Have a plan for a sober ride home. Miami drunk driving accidents are an especial concern on New Year`s Eve, especially since many people ring in the New Year with their favorite drinks. Whether you plan on drinking or not, have at least a few options for getting home safely with a sober driver if you do end up drinking. Make it very easy for yourself to make the right choice – have money on hand for a taxi and have a list of people you can call for help if you do get stuck without transportation. Find out about the many options Miami has for getting home safely on New Year`s Eve.

2) Have a plan for an alert drive home. In addition to drunk driving, another risk on New Year`s Eve is fatigued driving. On this night of the year, you may end up staying out much later than you are used to, and this can make it dangerous for you to drive home. This is one reason you will want to have several options for getting home safely – even if you do not plan on drinking, you could end up simply too tired to drive home safely.

3) Have a plan for a distraction-free ride home. It can be easy to drive distracted on New Year`s Eve. There are many things happening outside the car and you may be tempted to check in with friends during the night. However, with extra traffic on the road (including pedestrian traffic) it is important to focus entirely on driving in order to prevent a Miami car accident.

4) Have a plan for traffic. Traffic can be heavily congested after the New Year countdown, and this can easily lead to frayed nerves and even road rage. Have a plan for heavy traffic. You may want to plan ahead to take a less busy route, to wait a little while before heading home, or have another plan for getting home.

5) Have a plan for a car-free night if possible. A great option is to leave your car at home if possible. Using public transport to get to and from a New Year`s Eve event is a good choice because you will not be tempted to drive after drinking – even if you can`t find a taxi. You also will not have to return to get your car and you will save yourself the hassle of parking on one of the busiest nights of the year.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

The start of the school year means a return of the school-year routine for many families. If you have a child, your morning routine will likely mean a commute to school. If you drive your child to school, you will need to plan ahead to reduce the risk of a Florida car accident on the way to school. Unfortunately, traffic accidents frequently occur on the morning school commute, as dozens of parents are dropping off children and trying to scramble through a hectic morning. You can reduce your risk if you:

1) Encourage your school to create a drop-off zone. A drop-off zone at school usually is apart from school buses and is designed to handle high-flow levels of traffic. This is far more convenient and safer than trying to drop off a child near school bus lanes or near a busy school parking lot.

2) Consider car pooling. Arranging for car pooling for your child reduces stress and saves you time. Arranging car pooling at your child’s school also reduces the number of cars pulling up by the school, which can reduce the risk of collisions.

3) Get your car checked out. A well-maintained car will respond better, making it easier for you to stop suddenly if you need to.

4) Do a test run. If you are new to a school, especially, consider visiting the school some morning before classes start. Test out different routes to the school and time how long the drive takes (but make sure to factor in morning traffic during the school year). Consider where you can park and where you can drop your child off. Take note of the school bus zones as well so that you are prepared for the morning commute.

5) Create a time schedule to keep mornings less hectic. A chaotic morning can increase your risk of an accident because it is distracting to be rushing and thinking about the time. Set up a system by the door and have each child place their shoes, coats, and full backpacks by the door. Set out clothing the night before. Consider pre-packed lunches or wake early to pack them. Shaving off time in the morning also ensures you don’t have to get up too early, which reduces the risk of driving fatigued.

6) Consider alternative forms of transport. If your school offers a bus ride, consider this as a viable alternative. While Florida bus accidents do occur, they are statistically far rarer than car accidents.

7) Consider parking a block from school and walking. If your child’s school is large and has no drop-off zone, you may find the traffic near the school too chaotic and unsafe. Parking a short distance away and walking up can be safer, especially if the entrance to the school is a distance away from car traffic.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

An elderly Manitoba man who claimed he was fighting child pornography when he stored thousands of illegal images on his home computer should serve up to a year in custody, a judge was told Wednesday.

Winnipeg Sun – Manitoba

Just like quitting smoking or committing to a healthy lifestyle, making a resolution to stop texting and driving can make your life better in 2011. If you are still looking for a New Year’s resolution to commit to, commit to end distracted driving. While many in Florida are divided on the issue of texting bans or cell phone bans, the statistics don’t lie.

According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System distracted driving caused by texting and driving has caused over 15,000 fatal auto accidents within six years. The Florida Senate has tried and failed to pass a ban on texting and driving. It is expected that the Senate will again attempt to pass the legislation in 2011.

However, there is a growing movement among drivers to stop distracted driving – with or without an official law. For example, Russ and Kim Hurd have become advocates for texting bans after their daughter Heather was killed by a distracted driver. This year, a part of U.S. 27 will be named the Heather Hurd Memorial Highway. The family is also fighting to pass Heather’s Law, a which would ban text messaging and cell phone use while driving.

Some companies are also stepping up to stop distracted driving. For example, the government has banned texting and driving for employees. In November, Disney sent its employees a letter prohibiting them from texting and driving. Disney has noted that it could fire or fine employees caught texting and driving. Truck carriers have also largely banned texting and driving.

While many experts applaud the desire to stop texting and driving, however, they point out that many distracted driving accidents in Florida and across the country are caused by many types of distractions. Changing music, talking on the phone, having an emotional discussion with a passenger, eating, drinking, or putting on makeup can all cause a Florida car accident. If you want to make 2011 a better year, therefore, you might want to resolve to avoid all distracted driving. Keeping your eyes and your mind on the road may be the most important resolution you make.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Florida pedestrian accidents and other traffic accidents are all too common at this time of year. Many more people are traveling in cars, increasing the risks of Florida car accidents. At the same time, many holiday parties mean that more people are making the poor choice to drink and drive. While you cannot control what other people do this holiday season, there are ways you can ensure that you stay safe:

1) Review the rules. The rules of the road, especially if you have new drivers in your family. Car accidents are still a leading cause of injuries to children and minors in Florida during the holiday season, so make sure that your young drivers know the rules – and make sure that they know they can count on a drive from you if they run into trouble.

2) Have several plans for getting home alive. If you have any plans to socialize this holiday season, consider how you will get home. Keep taxi numbers in your wallet as well as bus route information and a cell phone in your pocket. Find out about local shuttle and ride services for the holidays. Know a few places to call when you get stuck and it will be easy to make a smart decision.

3) Create a support group. Call friends and family and have them pledge with you not to drive drunk or distracted this holiday season. Exchange phone numbers and promise to give each other support as well as a safe ride home where possible this holiday season.

4) Consider taking public transportation. Taking a taxi or a train or bus to an event removes the temptation to drive yourself home. Even if you are just shopping, taking public transit or a taxi is often safer and can reduce overall congestion on the roads.

5) Keep your car tuned up. Check the tires, brakes, shocks, and other vital systems of your car. Make sure your car will respond quickly in case you need to act fast to avoid a car collision.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

2011 promises to be a very busy year for The Century Council. New partnerships, new initiatives, and a very special anniversary all promise to make this year one of our busiest in the fight against underage drinking and drunk driving. As we launch into our projects for 2011, we’d like to take a moment to share with you some of the projects that have kept us busy this past year.

Ask, Listen, Learn

Last year we launched a revamped Ask, Listen, Learn website. Designed to reach kids in middle school, Ask, Listen, Learn teaches kids about the importance of saying ‘YES’ to a healthy lifestyle and ‘NO’ to underage drinking. We’re going to continue working to reach out to kids, working with respected athletes, elected officials, and community leaders to reach children. We’re also going to shifting some of our focus to parents, as so much is riding on their shoulders in ensuring their children are healthy.

College Binge Drinking

Running on the insights revealed by our 2009 NSAC competition, we commissioned students from four colleges and universities to run a binge drinking awareness campaign on their campus. Some of the campaigns will be wrapping up this Spring, but we’re already excited about the results. We also commissioned a research study to learn more about the student’s perspective on dangerous over consumption of alcohol on campus. Launched with The Ad Council and conducted by Egg Strategy and explored emergency medical and law enforcement response to college binge drinking.

Drunk Driving

We have continued to work for better laws to fight drunk driving and to encourage awareness and responsibility to drunk driving. While people continue to die needlessly on America’s roads, we continue to make progresss and save lives, via programs like Cops in Shops and the Hardcore Drunk Driving Judicial Education project.

Century Council Blog

Well here we are on New Year’s Eve and there is a lot of talk about parties and celebrating tonight. While you’re planning your celebrations, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Law enforcement officers all over the U.S. will be out in force watching for impaired drivers and taking a bunch of them to jail. You’ve probably seen the DOT commercials for “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” Thank a law enforcement officer if you see one while you are out tonight. They give up a lot to work these holidays!

As we all know, New Year’s Eve can be one of the most dangerous nights of the year because of drunk and impaired driving. But it doesn’t have to be!

Simply by planning to use a taxi, a sober, designated driver or just staying home to party, you can lower your risks. Of course, we have to be watching out on the roads for those crossing our paths who didn’t make safe plans to get home and being alert to making moves to get out of their way.

MADD wants everyone to have fun tonight and you can do that safely. Always drive sober and buckled up.

And about those resolutions…

I’ve got some of my own that include the usual “eating right and exercising,” as well as re-reading some literature classics in 2011. What about you? Do you want to help out in eliminating drunk driving in your community or state? Check out www.madd.org and find your local chapter. We need not only volunteers, but donors to help us do our lifesaving work. Please consider a year end gift to MADD.

Together, we are getting closer to the day when there is no more drunk driving. Let’s hope 2011 brings us great strides in reaching that goal. Happy New Year!

Blog to Eliminate Drunk Driving