ISSUE: Safer highways

OUR VIEW: DUI enforcement for holidays necessary; new year can mean safer driving

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies statewide are combatting impaired driving during the Sober or Slammer! Christmas/New Year's DUI crackdown. It began Dec. 12 and runs through Jan. 1.

The statistics don't lie. During the holiday season, deaths from DUI-related crashes go up. In 2007, the period saw 26 people die in South Carolina. And despite a decline in traffic deaths so far in 2008, the number of DUI-related fatalities has risen.

Enforcement on the road is essential to curbing DUI, but so is changing attitudes.

As part of SCDPS' efforts to inform the public about the Sober or Slammer! campaign and the consequences of driving while impaired, the agency reissued a TV commercial created as part of the Highways or Dieways campaign. In addition, the agency is airing two spots created this year that feature comments from drivers taken during a 2007 study that focused on the reasons people drink and drive. The comments are spoken by actors, but the troopers, sheriff deputies and police officers featured in the commercial are actual law enforcement personnel.

The comments are incredible:

"It takes guts to drink and drive, man; to take the risk."

"I'm fine to drive if I have some water. It dilutes the alcohol."

"I drink and drive because you're not supposed to."

By highlighting the actual responses of real motorists, SCDPS hopes people will either see themselves in the comments or be outraged - and motivated to drive responsibly.

Responsible driving certainly means not driving while impaired, but there is more. There are common driving behaviors that drivers can resolve to improve in the new year.

"Bad driving is often just a habit you get in to," says Ray Palermo, director of public relations for Response Insurance. "It can take as few as 21 days for people to adopt a new habit. So, drivers can help ensure that 2009 is safe for themselves and others on the road in a relatively short period of time." He offers some New Year's resolutions for drivers.

* Use your turn signal. Letting other drivers know where you are heading avoids crashes.

* Stay calm. Don't compound another driver's foolish driving maneuver by making your own. Don't overreact to events that can lead to road rage.

* Know where you are going. And, if you do make a wrong turn, just keep going. More often than not, you can return to the correct road pretty quickly and do it without endangering others.

* Maintain your car. Check all fluid levels, change the oil if it's due, clean the car's wi-ield, windows and headlights, make sure your lights and directionals are working properly, check the tire tread and air pressure.

* Sleep. Rest can be your best defensive driving weapon. Long hours behind the wheel, particularly at night, make you drowsy, less alert to danger and increase your response time.

* Stop multitasking. Eating, reading, and talking on a cell phone (even hands-free) while driving are distracting.

* Get an emergency kit. A first aid kit should minimally include bandages, tape, wash & dry cloth and a topical antiseptic. A car kit should include oil, anti-freeze, transmission and brake fluids, basic tools, signal flare, flashlight (with fully charged batteries) and duct tape.

And, of course, don't drink and drive. And be alert. Many drivers may not be as safe as you.

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