Frederick County Highway Safety Task Force

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	[Facts] [Spotting] [Avoiding] [Get the keys] [Non-Alcoholic Drinks] [Related Sites] Facts: Over a three-year period (1996-1998), 26% of the fatal crashes in Frederick County were alcohol-related. Twelve percent of the personal injury accidents during the same period were alcohol-related. The economic impact to the citizens of Frederick County from these fatal and personal injury crashes is close to $120 million. Sixty-four percent of the drivers at fault in alcohol related crashes are between the ages of 21 and 39 years. A DWI or DUI conviction can cost as much as $ 6,000 in attorney fees, increased insurance rates, towing fines, court costs and bonding fees.
	Spotting:
	Some typical warning signs that may indicate that other drivers may be impaired: Unusually wide turns Straddling center lane or lane marker Weaving or swerving Tailgating Abrupt or illegal turns Rapid acceleration or deceleration No headlights at night Driving with window down in cold weather Responding slowly to traffic signals
	Avoiding:
	Maintain a safe following distance Don't attempt to pass If the driver is behind you, turn right at the nearest intersection. Let the driver pass before returning to your route. Move to the shoulder and stop if the driver is coming head-on Always wear your seat belts Report a suspected drunk driver. Give location, description of the vehicle, direction vehicle is traveling and a description of the driver.
	Get the keys:
	If it is a close friend, try and use a soft, calm approach at first. Suggest to them that they've had too much to drink and it would be better if someone else drove or if they took a cab. Be calm. Joke about it. Make light of it. Try to make it sound like you are doing them a favor. If it is somebody you don't know well, speak to their friends and have them make an attempt to persuade them to hand over the keys. Locate their keys while they are preoccupied and take them away. If possible, avoid embarrassing the person or being confrontational.
	Other Sites Related to Impaired Driving:
	Century Council Combating Underage Drinking in Maryland Drinking and Driving - Sociology Department, State University of New York Drunk Driving Brings A Lifetime Of Pain - One Driver's Story Force Drivers To Take Responsibility For Their Own Actions Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) [Facts] [Spotting] [Avoiding] [Get the keys] [non-alcoholic drinks] [Related Sites] Frederick County Highway Safety Task Force.