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.
The 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.
It’s time everybody gave this a serious thought. Lives hang in the balance and can be lost in a heartbeat. Thanks for sharing the story of Brett, making a case for responsible driving more than any statistics ever could.
jan geronimo shares some words of wisdom ..When a Question Is the Answer
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Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
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February 1st, 2010 at 4:21 pm
@jan geronimo, Messages are always strongest when they are personalized. Just telling people ‘don’t do it’ isn’t enough, that’s for sure.
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Buzz driving is the same as drunk driving. I hope people know that.
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Thanks for sharing, all too often many have a beer or two and figure oh I’m alright I’m just a little light headed. Not realizing they are just a impaired as a drunker person.
Ms. Freeman shares some words of wisdom ..Don’t Scrap Your Goals Just Re-Evaluate Them
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 4:23 pm
@Ms. Freeman, It’s important to designate your ride home before becoming impaired. Or, stay the night where you are. I know it would only take one drink for me to be impaired and it wouldn’t put me over the legal limit either.
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Last night I found myself envolved in a conversation about the same thing, without the exact personal attachment that you shared here with everyone.
Between your hardcore multiple DUI people, hardcore party get drunk and drive people, and morning drunk people and the driving texters it’s just getting more and more dangerous.
It’s great to see you taking action on a cause that needs it.
Extreme John shares some words of wisdom ..What is One Thing You HATE about this Place?
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 4:19 pm
@Extreme John, Your mention of morning drunks reminded me of our IDL Weekend last year. Megan & I, along with many other kids and parents, were on our way to an Indoor Drumline competition early on a Sunday morning when a drunk driver hit the truck carrying the instruments. Normally the truck follows the buses [Megan & I were in the first bus], but this time the truck was leading as the driver was familiar with the area. No one was hurt, but his cab was totaled.
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Thank you for educating us all on buzz driving. Many people mistakenly think that if they are just slightly impaired, they are still capable of driving.
With regards to your comment about children being gone in the blink of an eye.
Having lost a child before her life ever really started I know the pain all too well.
Rose shares some words of wisdom ..Human Kindness and Giving
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:47 pm
@Rose, I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost a child, Rose. It’s something I hope to never know and would never wish on another, ever. I do know the pain of losing someone very close to me and that is bad enough.
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Twitter: websiteweekend
says:
I’m always the designated driver now. I like it. It means I get to have almost all the fun without any of the hangover.
People respect that now much more than they did 15-20 years ago. The pressure was different back then.
Dave Doolin shares some words of wisdom ..What the Heck is Pillar Content and Why Do I Need It?
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
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February 3rd, 2010 at 12:03 am
@Dave Doolin, As soon as I had a car I became the designated driver. I never trusted anyone enough to keep me safe. It also helps that I don’t like beer and mixed drinks cost so much.
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I was guilty of driving under the influence of liquor, lots of it, only once when I was in college. Since I was the one with the car I managed to drive around my city to get everyone home. I’m now grateful nothing wrong happened to me.
Now that I’m years older I feel responsible. I still like drinking but I leave the driving chores to my friends, or simply spend the night out to a friend’s house instead of going home.
Gem shares some words of wisdom ..Drunken Pole Dancing and Wedding Fail
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:10 am
@Gem, Many of us have probably done this at one time or another. We’re the lucky ones to have not hurt anyone or ourselves AND we’ve learned not to do that anymore. On the rare occasion that I do drink I’m either home or where I plan to be for the night.
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[...] Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving (anneonlife.com) [...]
Good post. In the old days people used to go to the pub and have a good few pints, then drive home. Luckily, most people are more sensible now & wouldn’t risk it, although there will always be those that do.
Driving Lessons Bournemouth shares some words of wisdom ..Observer on test
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