Be Safe, Not Sorry

By Julie Nauman, VCGCB Executive Officer

“Impaired driving” is most commonly attributed to 

alcohol and/or drugs, but also includes potentially deadly 

distracted driving habits.

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Given that impaired driving accounts for nearly one-third of all deaths from motor vehicle crashes in the United States each year, and that we typically see a spike in alcohol and drug related auto accidents during the holiday season, it is imperative to once again address this violent crime.

Last year, CalVCP received nearly 850 claims for crimes involving impaired drivers and provided $1.4 million in assistance for related medical expenses, mental health bills, and funeral/burial costs. Fatalities caused by impaired driving are 100-percent preventable, but eliminating them requires active vigilance from everyone. This, of course, means refraining from driving while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medications, or over-the-counter medications. You don’t have to forgo the holiday festivities, but you should always plan ahead. Be sure to designate a driver at the beginning of the night, whether it be a sober friend or one of the many safe ride programs available throughout the state. For example, AAA’s Tipsy Tow offers members and nonmembers a free tow home on select holidays like Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

Last year, CalVCP received nearly 850 claims for crimes involving impaired drivers and provided $1.4 million in assistance for related medical expenses, mental health bills, and funeral/burial costs. 

While “impaired driving” is most commonly attributed to alcohol and/or drugs, the term is rapidly evolving beyond the traditional definition of driving under the influence to encompass distracted and potentially deadly habits such as texting or making phone calls without a proper Bluetooth accessory. To thwart the increasing temptation for drivers to multitask on the road, AT&T has publicly spearheaded the “It Can Wait” campaign, a nationwide anti-texting effort complete with mobile app, which allows users to set a customizable autoreply text message similar to an “out of office” alert.

With the many cost-free resources available to Californians, there is absolutely no excuse for drunk, drugged, or distracted driving. In addition to putting your life and others at grave risk, a reckless driving ticket or DUI conviction will burn your bank account, mar your DMV record, and inflate your insurance rates – it’s not worth it! Join me this month, and every day of the year, in pledging to eliminate impaired driving, and to keep our roads and our families safe this holiday season.

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Julie Nauman is the Executive Officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB). VCGCB provides compensation for victims of violent crime and helps to resolve claims against the State.

Driving Safely During the Holidays

By Joe Farrow, Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol

The holiday season is upon us which typically comes with travel to celebrate with family and friends. This is a joyous time of year, but too often what we in law enforcement see amid the fun and frivolity, is tragedy that occurs as the result of poor decisions made behind the wheel.

Alcohol was the primary collision factor in more than a dozen fatal collisions and in numerous injury crashes during the 2011 holiday period.

Last year during the Christmas holiday, 14 people lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions; another 25 during the New Year’s holiday. Sadly, more than half of those killed in the jurisdiction patrolled by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) were not wearing seatbelts. While seatbelts may have saved the lives of these vehicle occupants, alcohol was the primary collision factor in more than a dozen fatal collisions and in numerous injury crashes during the 2011 holiday period. In each of those cases, someone chose to get behind the wheel of an automobile after having too much to drink. Victim advocates know all too well the heartache and grief that follows in these cases, and we are thankful the Victim Compensation Program is there to help surviving victims and family members of those who are killed in these senseless collisions.

The CHP and law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force again this holiday season to assist motorists and to prevent additional tragedies from occurring on our roadways. Each holiday season, law enforcement officers arrest hundreds of people who are driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. These motorists present a risk not only to themselves, but also to those sharing the roadway with them. The CHP, local law enforcement, the Office of Traffic Safety, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration are joining together in the coming days to remind motorists to keep safety in mind during the holidays.

Motorists can help keep the roads safe by following these simple steps:

• Always buckle up and secure children in a proper child safety seat.
• Never drink and drive. If you are going to celebrate, designate a driver, use public transportation or make arrangements to stay where you are for the night. Remember, alcohol impairs people differently, and even a small amount of alcohol may be enough for a motorist’s driving to be affected.
• Being sleepy or fatigued can have a similar effect on a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. If you are traveling long distances, plan ahead, and get plenty of rest before driving.
• Obey the traffic rules and drive defensively.
• If you see a suspected drunk driver on the road, call 911 to report the motorist to law enforcement.
• Finally, eliminate distractions inside the vehicle.

I wish you all happy holidays and safe travels wherever your celebration may take you.

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On March 1, 2008, then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Joseph A. Farrow Commissioner of the CHP, and was later reappointed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2011. Currently, Commissioner Farrow commands more than 7,800 uniformed 3,600 non-uniformed, 700 senior volunteers, and 200 Explorer personnel, and oversees a budget of $1.9 billion.
Commissioner Farrow is recognized for his innovative leadership approach in public administration, such as implementing the California Law Enforcement Challenge, effecting the CHP’s accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, and creating an Office of Inspector General to ensure accountability and transparency of the Department.

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

The month of December brings many holiday celebrations that often include alcohol. Consequently, December tends to produce more than average intoxicated drivers carelessly sharing our roads.

In an effort to spread public awareness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and several other agencies have named December "National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month," a campaign created to educate the community about the seriousness of driving under the influence of substances and its devastating consequences.

Every time we drive, we are unfortunately faced with the possibility of falling victim to an impaired driver’s rash mistake. According to NHTSA, three out of every ten Americans will be involved in a motor vehicle accident involving drunk driving during their lives. Accidents related to drunk and drugged driving claim the lives of thousands of Americans every year and have become one of the deadliest crimes in America today. Impaired drivers continue to roam our streets and put the lives of our family and friends at risk.

In response, CalVCP has joined the campaign to spread public awareness. As an agency dedicated to assisting victims of crimes, we would like you to know that victims of drunk and drugged driving accidents are able to receive compensation through our program. CalVCP has helped 809 drunk and drugged driving victims and paid an estimated $2.8 million since January 2010. Our claimants received compensation that covered mental health treatment, income and support loss, medical bills, funeral costs, and rehabilitation.

CalVCP is committed to creating healthier communities and we would like to offer you ways to fight back against drunk and drugged driving. The NHTSA has provided tips for those hosting or attending holiday parties:

• Include a reminder about selecting a designated driver in your invitation.
• If you are going to serve alcohol, be certain to offer guests non-alcoholic drinks as well.
• Ensure that all guests leave with a sober driver; if necessary, call a taxi for a guest or even take their keys. Remember, “Friends don’t let friends drink and drive."
• Dial 911 if you see any suspicious drivers.

Please play your part this year in spreading awareness of drunk and drugged driving. And remember, don’t let drunk and drugged driving prevention be a seasonal concern; our communities should work together to help prevent these tragedies all year long.