SAFETY TOPIC: IMPAIRED DRIVING
| Table of Contents |
| -Objectives |
| -Statistics |
| -OHS Efforts |
| -Did you know? |
To decrease alcohol related fatalities from 38% to 31% in 2001.
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| Target or At Risk Populations: The youthful driver (under 25 years of age) accounted for 24% of drivers in all crashes in 2001 and 26% of drivers in fatal crashes. Alcohol-related traffic crash fatalities for this age group (driver, passenger, bicyclist, or pedestrian) accounted for 25% of all alcohol-related traffic fatalities, and 26% of all traffic fatalities. |
| The middle-aged driver (ages 25 - 54) accounted for 50% of drivers in all crashes in 2001 and 54% of the drivers in fatal crashes. Alcohol-related traffic crash fatalities for this age group accounted for 66% of all alcohol-related traffic fatalities and 71% of all traffic fatalities. |
| The mature driver (over 55) accounted for 14% of drivers in all crashes in 2001 and 15% of drivers in fatal crashes. Alcohol-related traffic crash fatalities for this age group accounted for 5% of all alcohol-related traffic fatalities and 30% of all traffic fatalities. |
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The Office of Highway Safety is dedicated to reducing the number of impaired driving crashes and fatalities on Delaware's roadways. Below is a list of programs coordinated by OHS to attack this serious highway safety issue.
DUI Checkpoints
Through its highway safety grants, OHS funds police agencies' enforcement of DUI laws. Special attention is focused on impaired driving during the 4th of July holiday weekend, and the winter holidays. Below is a picture of a Dover Police department DUI checkpoint in April 2001. For more pictures from the checkpoint, visit our Photogallery by clicking on the link on Home Page, or check out our newest DUI checkpoint program Checkpoint Strikeforce by clicking on the photo on our home page.
Don't DUI It Campaign
I n 1995, Delaware passed its Zero Tolerance law. The law was one of the First State's earliest efforts to deal with the problem of drinking and driving. It states that anyone under 21 found to have a BAC of .02% or higher will face penalties such as suspension of driving privileges or fines. The Office of Highway Safety developed a comprehensive awareness campaign around the new law complete with the slogan "Don't DUI It." Materials such as magnets, posters, and buttons are available for public use. In addition, OHS also posts Don't DUI It billboards and runs Don't DUI It Public Service Announcements on T.V. and radio during prom time, homecoming, and spring break.
The DUI Tracking System
In June 1998, the Delaware DUI Tracking System went online. DUI Tracking is a computer database, which follows DUI offenders from arrest through treatment, and back to re-licensing. The goal is to provide real time information on the status of each offender, as well as provide an overview of the magnitude of the DUI problem in Delaware. Only designated individuals in OHS, as well as the evaluation agency, courts, and treatment providers have direct access to the system.
Cops In Shops Program
Cops-In-Shops is a program designed to eliminate the purchase of alcohol by minors, thereby reducing the number of deaths and injuries due to drinking and driving. Developed by the Office of Highway Safety, Cops-In-Shops works as a deterrent to underage purchasing of alcohol by placing undercover law enforcement officers into liquor stores posing as customers or employees. When an underage person attempts to make a purchase, or enters the premises, they will be arrested. The Delaware Division of Alcohol Beverage Control is currently coordinating enforcement efforts among state and local police agencies. In addition, informational brochures detailing Delaware's underage drinking laws are available for the general public.
- A traffic crash was reported every 26 minutes in Delaware in 2001
- In 118 fatal crashes, 137 persons were killed
- Alcohol was involved in 42% of the fatal crashes
- There were a total of 4,122 DUI arrest (State Police statistics only) in 2001
For more information, please contact the DUI Coordinator Lisa Moore at (302) 744-2740.
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