Sound off

By Joann Hellman

It may seem odd that the “100 Deadly Days of Summer” starts a month before summer begins.

However, Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day are when more traffic fatalities occur due to an increase in roadway travelers and drinking during summer holidays, weddings, picnics and other outdoor activities. The U.S. Department of Transportation cites that Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day Holiday weekends yield some of the highest number of DUI crashes and fatalities.

While most DUIs involve alcohol — about 80 percent — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports drugs other than alcohol, including prescription, over-the-counter and illegal drugs, are involved in the remaining percentage of motor vehicle driver deaths. In Washington State that also means marijuana, which, though legal for those 21 and older, still impairs driving abilities. Often these other drugs are used in combination with alcohol.

Driver impairment continues to be the most frequent factor contributing to traffic deaths in Washington state. And it’s holding steady since 2011 with over a third of all traffic deaths in our state involving an impaired driver according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. During the 100 deadly days of 2008 to 2013, that rose to nearly half of the 961 traffic fatalities in our state caused by alcohol or other drug impairment.

This year, the Impaired Driving Impact Panel of Island County again hopes to raise both awareness and funds during this dangerous season with KISS — Keep It a Safe Summer.

The safety campaign kicks off May 22 with a series of awareness activities.

All funds raised during the summer safety campaign will be matched up to $5,000 by Island Thrift and benefit IDIPIC’s DUI and underage drinking prevention work in local schools and aboard Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Since starting in 2000, IDIPIC’s mission has been to deter driving under the influence and underage drinking in our communities through education and awareness. The organization, with more than 70 dedicated volunteers, has done this to date by providing 445 impact panels in Oak Harbor, Freeland and NAS Whidbey that have reached more than 30,000 attendees. They have included offenders, driver’s ed. students and their parents, and military personnel.

The panels are free to the general public.

IDIPIC also provides age-appropriate prevention classes for driver’s education, “Th!nk, Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive”; middle school, “Th!nk, Don’t Drink & Drive”; and third-grade students, “PICKLES: Positive Influences Changing Kids’ Lives in Elementary Schools.” The latter focuses on healthy and unhealthy drinks, trust and peer pressure.

As families get ready to kick off the summer and honor our military heroes this Memorial Day weekend, IDIPIC urges motorists to stay safe on the road during the 100 deadly days by:

– Planning a safe way home. Use a taxi or a designated driver who’s had NO alcohol or impairing drugs.

– Not driving at night unless you must. More than half of nighttime crashes occur between 9 p.m. and midnight.

– Wearing a seatbelt. Seatbelt usage is one of the best ways to stay safe on our roadways.

– Slowing down. Respect all posted speed limits.

– Being aware. Pay attention to other drivers, avoid those driving erratically and report any unsafe driving.

You can also help others to not drive under the influence by being a responsible host. Offer non-alcohol alternatives, don’t let guests make their own drinks, stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the party ends and ensure your guests are safe to drive home.

While many crashes during the summer are purely accidental, many are the result of unsafe practices such as driving under the influence.

“Education is important, but we’re to the point where almost everyone knows they shouldn’t drink and drive,” said IDIPIC board president Francis Bagarella. “The people who are still doing it are choosing to do it.”

Bagarella, who retired in 2008 after 30 years in the Navy as command master chief of NAS Whidbey, was instrumental in getting IDIPIC panels presented on base eight years ago. He knows first hand the dire consequences of impaired driving: first as a Casualty Assistance Calls Officer notifying military families of DUI deaths of sailors and, later, his own family lost someone.

Beyond education he feels the most effective way to deal with those who drive impaired is to arrest them and take out the loopholes in the current DUI laws.

“If you choose to drive under the influence, then you choose to lose your right to drive once and for all.

How many lives must be lost before you are held accountable for your choices? One is too many,” he said.

For more information about IDIPIC, visit www.idipic.org