Bloomington, IL,
27
April
2017
|
09:06 AM
America/Chicago

Alcohol and Driving Don't Mix

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-impaired driving fatalities increased by 3.2 percent, from 9,943 in 2014 to 10,265 in 2015.

In a recent State Farm survey, one in five respondents indicated they had consumed alcohol and drove a car in the last year. Further, 94% of consumers surveyed believe the drunk driving problem has not yet been solved.

 

 

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD), two out of three people will be affected by drunk driving in their lifetime. The U.S. economic toll for deaths and injuries from such crashes is $52 billion annually1. These costs, combined with the costs of other crashes, impact consumers who pay insurance premiums.

 

State Farm is determined to address this issue through its long-time support of MADD. As the presenting sponsor of its Power of You(th)® program, State Farm is committed to helping teens and young adults understand the importance of staying safe and sober behind the wheel. The Power of You(th) program works to prevent underage drinking while educating teens to never ride with someone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Together with MADD, State Farm is encouraging students to take a stand against drunk driving by sharing positive messages with their peers, engaging their high schools in the conversation and motivating students to inspire healthy behaviors within their communities.

Parents:  Want to talk to your teen about alcohol? Visit the Power of YOU(th) website for the downloadable booklet You have the POWER to take a stand. This online resource, with statistics and true stories, can foster positive conversations with your son or daughter about destructive driving and ways to stay safe behind the wheel. It’s also available in Spanish.

Help the fight against drunk driving with these tips:

  • Choose a non-drinking designated driver if you will be consuming alcohol.
  • Ask for a ride. There are many alternatives to help you get home safely.
  • Be careful on the road. Pull over and report drivers you suspect to be under the influence by calling 911.
  • Protect others by taking their keys if they attempt to drive after consuming alcohol. They may be mad at you, but the alternative could be much worse.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving1

 

 

Hover over the interactive image below to learn how you can help prevent drunk driving.

Choosing to not drink and drive can be the difference between life and death.

Meet Olivia: The Little Girl with a Lesson to Remember. Never Drink and Drive.

“Just like that … she’s gone.”- Jodie Cleveland

The Clevelands are working hard to promote safe driving in memory of their daughter, Olivia. At the age of 3, Olivia was killed in a crash involving a drunk driver. Her father, John Cleveland, speaks to groups of all ages, encouraging them to:

  • Make safe choices behind the wheel.
  • Never be the person who causes a family to experience such pain and loss.
  • Remember Olivia’s story when confronted with the decision to drink and drive.

 

About the Survey:

In April 2017, State Farm Strategic Resources Department conducted an online survey of U.S. consumers ages 18 and over. Survey responses were received from 1,014 consumers who reported that they “are the person in your household responsible for making decisions about insurance and financial products” or that they “share responsibility for these decisions with someone else in your household.”

About State Farm®:

For over 100 years, the mission of State Farm has been to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its more than 19,400 agents and 67,000 employees serve over 91 million policies and accounts – including auto, fire, lifehealth, commercial policies and financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for rentersbusiness ownersboats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 44 on the 2023 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.