Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is running a ‘Plan While You Can’ campaign incorporating powerful messages from the victims of drunk driving.
The campaign is intended to save lives and decrease alcohol-related crashes all year long, but with a particular emphasis during holidays such as the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. During the 2015 Fourth of July weekend, there were 355 alcohol-related crashes in Texas, resulting in 19 fatalities and 32 serious injuries.
“Drinking and driving is stupid!”
“The concept is simple: Save your own life and the lives of others by planning for a sober ride.” said Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Moseley.
The ‘Plan While You Can’ campaign – which coincides with an increase in drunk driving enforcement along with local no-refusal efforts – includes a multi-city tour that stops at shopping malls in Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock and Waco. Shoppers are invited to test their driving skills during a two-minute interactive game that simulates sober-to-impaired driving conditions, including difficulty in steering, delayed reactions and blurred vision. In addition, two large video monitors will allow mall shoppers to watch 30-second videos from the Faces of Drunk Driving website featuring stories from drunk driving crash victims in Texas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtBy39SBm1s?rel=0
Drivers under the influence of alcohol can face up to $17,000 in fines and legal fees, the loss of a job and other costs. TxDOT strongly encourages everyone to plan for a sober ride before going out. Visit SoberRides.org to find alternatives to drinking and driving, such as:
- Calling a taxi or using a transportation app on your smartphone.
- Using mass transit.
- Asking a sober friend or family member for a ride home.
- Spending the night.
Visit the Faces of Drunk Driving website to read the victims’ stories.
