On October 23, 1999, shortly before 11:00 p.m., A boy [name has been removed], then eighteen years old, was driving on Auburn Road in Pilesgrove Township. He had three passengers in his car. His speed exceeded one hundred miles per hour. He lost control of the vehicle, hit another car and then crashed into a telephone pole. One of his passengers, his friend, seventeen-year-old Brett Kooman, died in the crash. This boy admitted he had been drinking that evening. A blood alcohol test performed several hours later showed a blood alcohol level of .079.

courtesy of FindLaw

It is said that if you want people to listen tell a story worth hearing.

Brett Kooman was my cousin. I didn’t know him very well as he lived in New Jersey and I was in Florida. There was also a bit of an age difference. He was 17; I was 28. He was in his senior year of high school; I was almost divorced with 3 kids. He was killed because the boy who was driving had been drinking.

If we had passed each other on the street we would not have known one another. Yet, he is the reason I carried my kids every chance I got. And hold them whenever they let me. Children grow up so fast. And can be gone in the blink of an eye.

One or ten, would it have made any difference? We will never know.

Buzzed Driving CampaignThe teams are set, the hype is well underway and Super Bowl party planning is in full swing.

While you may not be thinking about the dangers of buzzed driving this time of year, you or someone you know will likely be attending a party where alcohol is served.  So whether you’re rooting for the Colts or the Saints, there are some things you need to know to keep yourself and your loved ones safe before, during and after Super Bowl XLIV.

When you’re heading out to a party or hosting guests, remember to always plan ahead:

  • Designate a sober driver or be prepared to find a safe ride home for your guests
  • Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi.  Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

In 2008, 11,773 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.

I’m working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council as they continue their efforts with the “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” PSA campaign.  Buzzed drivers are those who drink and drive, but do not consider themselves a hazard on the roadway because “only a few” drinks are consumed. The campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even one drink too many can impair driving and that “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”  So even if you are planning on staying home Super Bowl weekend, please remind your loved ones that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

To learn more about the impact buzzed driving can have on a life, please watch this important video about the financial and personal repercussions of getting a DUI: http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/sign.php#video

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving.  Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

For more information, visit Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving on Facebook and Twitter (@Buzzeddriving).

Disclaimer: This post is part of a campaign to get the word out about Buzzed Driving. Global Influence is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to get the word out. One person who reports their link for this campaign is eligible to win a $25 Amazon gift card courtesy of Global Influence.
Related Posts with Thumbnails

Post to Twitter Post to Digg Post to Facebook Post to StumbleUpon