PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- December is National Impaired Driving Prevention month. Impaired driving, either while drunk or on any drugs, should still be a major concern for everyone, especially with the up-coming holiday season.
Every year approximately one third of all traffic related fatalities can be attributed to drunk drivers according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency.
That amounts to more than 10,000 deaths a year and exceeded 1 million drivers arrested for drinking under the influence.
The best way to prevent something happening to you or getting arrested this holiday season is to call the Airmen Against Drunk Driving association on Peterson Air Force Base.
Senior Airman Cameron Crabtree, 4th Space Operations Squadron protected mission planner and the president of the Front Range A2D2 program, wants to get the word out this holiday season about how to take advantage of the program to ensure your safety.
“The purpose of A2D2 is to provide safe rides home for intoxicated service members, family members, and all personnel of local Air Force installations,” said Crabtree.
This time of year law enforcement steps ups drunk driving checks and is the most common time to get a DUI.
“Every year during the holidays we see a small increase in A2D2 driving requests throughout December but not as many as you would expect,” Crabtree said. “Hopefully it’s a sign that we have great planners throughout the Front Range.”
Crabtree has a few tips for staying out of trouble when it comes to drinking this holiday season.
-Remember not to take it too far.
-Always have two backup plans to your original plan for getting home.
-Have fun, but in moderation
-If all else fails call your leadership.
“I believe as a member of the Air Force there is no excuse for driving while intoxicated, I have never met a commander or 1st Sgt. that wouldn’t be willing to pick someone up if they needed a ride home,” said Crabtree.
There are numerous resources to get you home safe, he added.
If you are out and need a ride home the Peterson Airmen Against Drunk Driving program operates from 10:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. every Friday and Saturday night. The number to request a ride is 552-A2D2.