Most drivers are familiar with the concept of careless driving tickets, but few stop to think about what careless driving really is or how it causes crashes. Careless driving is an umbrella term for a number of violations, including lane drifting, which can lead to head-on or sideswipe crashes. About 10,000 deaths occur annually when vehicles leave the roadway.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drifting is defined as “when a vehicle is moving in a generally straight line, but at a slight angle to the lane. The driver might correct his or her course as the vehicle approaches a lane line or other boundary, or fail to correct until after a boundary has been crossed. In extreme cases, the driver fails to correct in time to avoid a collision.” Whether the collision that occurs is head-on or sideswipe depends on the position of the vehicles and the orientation of the road, among other factors.

Lane drifting occurs due to driver error. Specific causes of lane drifting include:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol


• Drowsiness or falling asleep


• Speeding, especially around a curve


• Lack of alertness, including daydreaming, reaching for something in the vehicle, or looking at something outside of the vehicle

For drivers, remaining sober and alert and maintaining a speed appropriate for conditions help prevent lane drifting. Roadway engineering and in-vehicle technology offer support to drivers who do drift and increased protection for all road users.

NHTSA says that about 90% of all rural crashes with fatalities occur on two-lane roads. Two-lane roads in rural areas usually do not have medians to separate two-way traffic; with vehicles in opposing directions traveling in such close proximity to one another, the margin of error is small and the potential for tragedy is enormous. According to a 2003 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) report, sideswipe or head-on crashes that occur when vehicles cross the centerline comprise approximately 20% of fatal crashes on rural two-lane roads and cause approximately 4,500 deaths every year. Many drivers are familiar with rumble strips along the right side of long stretches of highway; the rumble is both felt and heard when the vehicle's tires drift onto the shoulder of the road. The IIHS advocates the addition of rumble strips along the centerlines of undivided rural two-lane roads.

In 2009 NHTSA began studies comparing different crash avoidance systems, including lane departure warning systems, to determine whether or not they will be required on new vehicles. Lane-departure warning systems alert drivers when their vehicle is leaving the lane; in some instances, the system has the capability of moving the vehicle back into the lane. IIHS says lane-departure systems could impact up to 483,000 crashes annually by helping vehicles stay on the road.

Labels: careless driving tickets, driving under the influence, drowsy driving, DUI, lane drifting

As part of the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, to crack down on drunk and drugged driving during the holiday period, many law enforcement agencies will be conducting sobriety check-points throughout the month of December. In addition to the sobriety check-points, many states and localities will be conducting "No Refusal" weekends.

Every state has what is known as an "Implied Consent Law." As a condition of the privilege to drive, every driver in the US agrees to submit to a test for alcohol if requested by a law enforcement officer. If a driver refuses to submit to a test, their license is automatically suspended from six months to a year.

Many drivers hope, that by refusing to take the test, they will receive a minor administrative suspension rather than a more serious DUI conviction but they don'’t realize that refusing to take the test won't always keep them from being arrested for DUI anyway.

As part of the Implied Consent law, many states have also implemented no-refusal initiatives that allow law enforcement officers obtain a warrant from a judge to conduct a blood test – forcibly if necessary – if they reasonable cause to suspect that a driver is driving drunk.

Many states have begun conducting no-refusal weekend sobriety checks with judges and medical personnel on hand 24 hours a day to obtain a phone warrant for a blood test if a driver refuses to take the breathalyzer exam.

States that are conducting No Refusal or warrant initiatives include: AZ, FL, ID, IL, KS, LA, MO, TX, and UT.

Many other states have the necessary legal authority to conduct No Refusal initiatives including: AK, AL, CA, CO, GA, IN, MD, MI, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SD, VA, WA, WI, and WV.

The State of Texas has been one of the strongest advocates of this program, conducting no-refusal weekends since 2005. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration;

"During a typical No Refusal Weekend in Montgomery County Texas, 12 DWI suspects refused to submit to a breath test and went through the warrant process. Blood tests showed all to be well above the statutory limit. The average blood alcohol concentration among these suspects was .19 ‐ more than twice the legal limit. In Montgomery County, test refusal rates have dropped from 50 percent prior to the program to as low as 10 percent in 2010. Average test results have proven to be substantially higher among those with blood test warrants, at .19 compared to .13 for those who submitted to breath tests. In Montgomery County, conviction rates have increased sharply and dismissals dropped since No Refusal Weekends have been implemented."

Nueces County Texas, where the city of Corpus Christi is located has announced that they will be conducting No-Refusal weekends throughout the rest of the month of December.

To avoid the dangers of driving while impaired, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following tips:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;


• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;


• If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;


• Use your community's sober ride program


• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to contact your local law enforcement; and


• And remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. If you know people who are about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, take the driver's keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

Labels: buzzed driving, drunk driving, DUI

The chill is in the air. Orange is the dominant color and kids are beginning to think of their plans for October 31st. Before you go out shopping for costumes and buying bags of candy this year, spend a few minutes planning the night ahead.

• Identify what type of celebrations will be taking place and where they will be located. Not only will it help determine your plans, it will help you be an aware driver as you travel on the roadways. If you will be attending a party, plan for a designated driver or commit to not drink. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair your judgment and driving. Driving under the influence can kill or cause trauma, be expensive and embarrassing.



• When costume planning, make sure that all costumes fit appropriately and will not restrict movement or visibility, either as a pedestrian or behind the wheel. Ensure foot wear is sturdy. Tripping, falling, difficulty steering or braking can be dangerous!



• Add reflective tape to costumes and replace flash light batteries to ensure you will be visible, whether escorting trick or treaters or attending an event yourself. Confirm any children you are with have flashlights, glow stick, bright candy bags, and reflective tape on costumes as well. Clear up any yard obstructions, water hoses, and overgrown vegetation to make it easier to see and maneuver for both pedestrians and vehicles.



• Know your planned route, to avoid the unexpected. Plan to travel in well lighted areas. If walking, use sidewalks and crosswalks. If driving, avoid areas of heavy pedestrian traffic and park in areas with the greatest visibility. Design alternate routes that will provide the least amount of risk and the most amount of safety. Arrange to give yourself extra time to and from your destination.



• Know what night of the week Halloween falls on. If Halloween is on a weekend, expect the festivities to begin early in the day and prepare to be a defensive driver. If it is on a weeknight, children will be starting their rounds before the evening rush hour is over. Be especially watchful. If you can, avoid driving on Halloween.



• Be alert for kids playing in costumes during the day, darting from house to house or in between parked cars. Pay special attention beginning at 4:30pm for the younger treat seekers. Turn your head lights on to make your vehicle more visible. Drivers need to be especially diligent driving during dusk through the night time as visibility is reduced.



• Reduce distractions. Make sure your cell phone is on silent, your radio volume is low and your passengers are aware to minimize driving distractions and assist with being alert to the surrounding environment.



• Be extra cautious as you pull into and leave driveways, parking lots and alleys for children that may dart out between cars, at roadways, medians and on curves. Be sure to check your blind spots thoroughly and maintain a search and scan of the driving environment every three seconds.



• Travel well below the posted speed limit. Be extra patient with pedestrians and other vehicles and always be prepared to stop at a given moment. They may be carrying trick or treaters and be distracted. Avoid passing or going around stopped vehicles. They may have passengers entering and exiting hurriedly and carelessly.

Halloween can truly be a fun night full of great memories! Take a few steps to keep it safe and trouble free.

Labels: defensive driving, drink responsibly, driver safety, driving under the influence, DUI, halloween, speed limit

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the start of the “Impaired Driving National Enforcement Crackdown” running from August 19th through the end of Labor Day weekend. More than 10,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide will be participating in this crackdown to remove impaired drivers from the road before they can hurt themselves or others.

According to NHTSA, in 2009 alone, 10,839 people died in crashes throughout the US in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal limit. The age group with the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes was the 21-to-24 age group. Approximately one-third of all highway deaths are due to impaired driving and nearly half of those deaths occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. For that reason, law enforcement agencies will have a heavy presence, conducting road blocks and sobriety checkpoints during the evening hours.


Nationwide the legal limit for drunk driving is .08 Blood Alcohol Content (B.A.C.). While that may be the legal limit to prove intoxication, a driver can still be arrested for DUI with a lower B.A.C. if, in the judgment of the arresting officer, their ability to drive safely is impaired.

Drivers who are arrested for DUI will go to jail!

During this period, the Nueces County District Attorney’s office announced that they would be sponsoring a "no refusal" Labor Day weekend, with phlebotomists available for immediate blood draws and warrants if needed to test drivers suspected of being under the influence.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT);

• In 2010, there were 25,032 alcohol-related crashes in Texas that resulted in 1,057 deaths and 16,877 injuries.


• In 2010, more alcohol-related crashes occurred between 2am and 3am than any other hour of the day. Also, more alcohol related crashes occurred on Saturday than any other day of the week.


• In 2010, 34.9 percent of the total traffic fatalities in Texas were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol.


• In 2010, 24 percent of people killed in alcohol-related crashes in Texas were between the ages of 20 and 25. However, this age segment only represents 9 percent of the overall state population.


• A DWI arrest and conviction in Texas can cost up to $17,000 or more: fees include car towing, impoundment, bail, attorney fees, court costs, hearing and fees to regain and retain driver's license, DWI fine, probation costs, fees for extended proof of insurance, plus insurance rate hikes.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a similar enforcement effort over the 4th of July holiday period resulted in 1,406 arrests. All available law enforcement officers will be on the roads. They will also be taking part in "Operation Care" (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) issuing citations to speeders and drivers who aren't wearing a seatbelt.

Before you had out consider new Technology to Prevent Drunk Driving. Be Safe this Labor Day Weekend!

Labels: alcohol impaired drivers, alcohol-related crashes, b.a.c., blood alcohol content, driving under the influence, DUI

During the Fourth of July holiday, various law enforcement agencies are always on high alert for drivers who are impaired by alcohol. Statistics gathered by the NHTSA would suggest that over the past 25 years, half of all deadly traffic crashes during this period usually involves alcohol-impaired drivers. In Texas, there were 337 alcohol-related traffic crashes over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

This is why the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and various law enforcement agencies are teaming up to increase their presence over the weekend in a statewide High Visibility Enforcement effort.

Motorists should notice that by the weekend, there will be a significant increase in presence of law enforcement officials as part of an aggressive crackdown on impaired drivers. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and other local law enforcement throughout Texas have received federal grants to increase their enforcement efforts over the weekend.

"TxDOT is proud to be a part of the high visibility enforcement weekend because it works. The success we've seen in jurisdictions across the state reinforces the message that driving while intoxicated will not be tolerated in Texas." said Carol T. Rawson, P.E., TxDOT, Traffic Operations Director.

This also means an increased promotion of their current anti-drinking-and-driving campaign, which is P.A.S.S. Motorists will be thoroughly reminded that if they will be out to drink, they must have a P.A.S.S., or, Person Appointed to Stay Sober.

You can learn more at: (http://www.facebook.com/KnowWhenToPass)

Drivers must also remember that during this weekend, breath and blood samples are "no-refusals." This means drivers who get pulled over and are suspected of a DWI will not be allowed refusing breath and blood samples and be dealt with accordingly, if found with a BAC higher than what is legal. Drivers who get convicted of DWIs over this Fourth of July weekend may land in jail, which is the exact opposite of what the holiday represents.

Tips for Safe Summer Driving - Have a Happy 4th of July!

Labels: alcohol impaired drivers, drunk driving, DUI, prevent drunk driving, TXDOT

A DUI carries a weight that can haunt a driver for a lifetime but there are a lot of choices available to avoid a DUI. Here are some tips to follow for those of us who care the safety of our friends and family.

Don't bring a car – Simple. If you're going to be out with a couple of friends and you know that you'll be drinking, split the fare for a cab to get to and from home. The cost of a cab is nothing compared to the cost of a DUI.

Designated driver – Take turns with your friends on being a designated driver for the evening. There’s no better way to show your friendship than by making a tiny sacrifice to get them all home safely. Let the establishment where you are dining or drinking know who the designated driver is. Many establishments will provide free incentives for the designated driver such as free soft drinks and, sometimes, even a free appetizer. They want to encourage designated driving too.

Sober rover services – With a little research, it's easy to find out if your location has an available sober rover service. These can either be a chauffeur service that can be hired for the night, or a service that may be called to drop by and deliver the client and their vehicle home.

Mobile apps – Distracted driving apps and devices have another function other than checking if a driver is using a mobile phone while driving --- it can also be used to set hotspots, or areas not to drive to, like bars. A good idea is to set trusted friends or family members as administrators for the mobile app, so that they would be notified where a driver is, or shouldn't be.

Pay for parking, get driven home – Leaving a car overnight at a car park may cost a little extra but it's nowhere near as expensive as DUI. Call a sober friend or a cab to come pick you up.

Collect keys at the door – When hosting a party, collect your guest’s car keys at the door. Make sure all your guests know the policy when they come in your door. Later on, a guest who has been drinking may become a little angry when you refuse to return the keys but a little spat among friends is better than living with the burden of that friend’s death.

Ignition interlock device – If installed in a car, these devices will prevent the car from being started if alcohol is detected in the driver's system; guaranteeing that there will be no DUI. The research is underway and, if Congress has its way, we may see alcohol interlock devices installed on all new cars within ten years.

Learn more about how to prevent teens from underage drinking and driving.

Labels: drunk driving, DUI, prevent distracted driving

Weekends of any month are among the most dangerous time for drivers --- according to Texas --- there is an increase in alcohol-related crashes during this time. Which is why Texas is launching a new campaign: on weekends where drinking is expected, always remember getting a P.A.S.S. (Person Appointed to Stay Sober)

In 2009, 30.9 percent of the total traffic fatalities in Texas were alcohol-related. While drinking and driving is outlawed everywhere, some people still continue to do it. 54 percent of drivers involved in alcohol-related crashes were in the ages between 18 and 34, making young adults the highest age group affected by impaired driving.

"Our message on weekends, and every day, is clear: do not drink and drive." said Carol T. Rawson, P.E., TxDOT's Traffic Operations Division Director. The P.A.S.S. Campaign is being put into place in order to lower incidents of alcohol-related impaired driving on weekends. Along with this, law enforcement is being ramped up to focus on catching intoxicated drivers during weekends.

It's a Friday --- or actually, on any day --- remember to get a P.A.S.S. if drinking is going to be involved.

Visit their Facebook page for more information.

Labels: dont' mess with texas, drunk driving, DUI, know when to pass, vehicle safety

The Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol has devised a way to increase awareness on drunk driving while at the same time, honoring those who are casualties of such incidents: one American flag for every one of the 1,551 casualties of drunk driving in Texas in 2009.

The flags are displayed at Walter Hall Park in League City at a site known as Healing Fields. "The Healing Field is a place that we have designated to bring awareness," says Council spokesperson Shelly Higgins.

"These are senseless, preventable deaths," she adds. Texas continues to have a high number of fatal drunk-driving accidents each year and increasing awareness by showing --- visually --- how many fatalities driving under the influence yields. The Healing Field was set up last weekend and will be in place for Veteran’s Day. It will be retired Friday morning.

Should this become an annual thing, it truly can be considered that the less is the more, and hopefully, by next year, there would be significantly less flags.

Read more about other initiatives to prevent drunk driving in Texas including the TX DOT program "Know When to Pass".

Labels: drunk driving, DUI, Houston Healing Fields, prevent drunk driving

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) continues the ‘Know When to Pass’ campaign by having its ‘Know When to Pass’ truck visit football games across the state of Texas.

The University of Texas has noted that football game days are among the heaviest days for alcohol consumption. With the heavy alcohol consumption, there is more chance for football fans to be driving under the influence of alcohol. The state plans to combat that by the ‘Know When to Pass’ campaign, creating awareness all over Texas that people who have been drinking should know when to either pass up a drink, or pass their keys to a sober designated driver.

The scheduled stops for the ‘Know When to Pass’ truck are as follows:
(with Lubbock done last Nov. 4-6 and El Paso done on the 8th)

• Austin: Nov. 11-13 for University of Texas vs. Oklahoma State (Nov. 13)


• San Antonio: Nov. 15


• College Station: Nov. 18-20 for Texas A&M vs. Nebraska (Nov. 20)


• Dallas: Nov. 21-23 for Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions (Nov. 21)


• Austin: Nov. 25 for University of Texas vs. Texas A&M


• Houston: Nov. 28-30 for Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans (Nov. 28)

Football fans are encouraged to check out the ‘Know When to Pass’ Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/KnowWhentoPass.

"We believe the 'Know When to Pass' truck will help us raise awareness among people throughout the state and, if they've been drinking, motivate them to pass their keys to a designated sober receiver," said Carol T. Rawson P.E., TxDOT Traffic Operations Director. "Our goal is to create turnovers by having impaired drivers turn over their keys to someone else, thereby reducing the number of crashes and fatalities in our state."

Texas Statistics

• 45 percent of those who drink at a football watching party in Texas, have reported driving home.


• According to TxDOT, 30.9 percent of the total traffic fatalities were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol in 2009. These figures increase over the weekend and on football game days.


• In 2009, there were 27,237 DUI crashes in Texas and 1,547 (6 percent) occurred on football game days when a Texas team was playing.

TxDOT want to encourage fans to enjoy the big games and still be responsible when it comes to drinking, and knowing when to pass.

Labels: drunk driving, DUI, know when to pass, prevent drunk driving

Football season means a lot of things to Texans. To the law enforcement agencies of Texas it means an increase in DUI related crashes and arrests. Football game day drinking and driving has become a serious problem across Texas and around the country. In an effort to combat this problem the Texas Department of Transporation (TxDOT) has rolled out the "Know When to Pass" campaign for the 2010 football season.

TxDOT’s campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of game day drinking and driving and to encourage would be drunk drivers to pass their keys to a designated driver. The campaign encourages fans to enjoy their games while being responsible when it comes to driving home after a day of drinking and cheering for their teams.

According to study from the University of Texas, the heaviest days for alcohol consumption, in Texas, are football game days. A report released by the TxDOT in 2009 states that 45% of Texans who drink at a football party report driving home. 51% of the people who drank at football parties had 3 or more drinks. In 2009, 6% of DUI crashes in Texas occurred when a Texas team was playing football.

The TxDOT wants to remind football fans that the consequences of drinking and driving are real. Driving under the influence of alcohol is extremely risky. First and foremost, football fans are jeopardizing their wellbeing and the lives of their friends, family and everyone else on the road. Additionally, football fans who are convicted of DUI after the big game could face jail time, loss of their driver’s licenses, increased insurance rates, and much more.

Football fans should pick a designated driver and pass their keys to that person. If you are impaired and without a safe ride home – DO NOT DRIVE. Instead, call a cab, take public transportation, call a sober friend, or worst case scenario – stay where you are. But, do not become statistic, do not drive.

For more information on the TxDOT's "Know When to Pass Campaign" visit the facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/KnowWhenToPass

Labels: drink responsibly, driver safety, drunk driving, DUI, prevent drunk driving, texas laws