Drinking alcohol and driving a car is a deadly combination.

The danger is clear:

• In the United States, someone is killed in an alcohol-related motor vehicle crash every 30 minutes.
• Four out of every ten fatal car accidents involve alcohol, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration.
• Nearly 17,000 Americans died in alcohol-related automobile crashes in 2004.

The Dangerous Effects of Alcohol on Automobile Drivers

The fact is that anyone who has been drinking should not get behind the wheel of a car. Driving a car requires concentration, coordination, ability to judge distance and speed, common sense, and a concern for the safety of everyone on the road. Alcohol can impair these basic skills that are necessary to operate an automobile safely.

Every type of alcohol affects a persons ability to drive a car. The same amount of alcohol – and the same potential for impairment or intoxication – results from any of these drinks:

• 12 ounce can of beer
• 5 ounce glass of wine
• 1.5 ounce shot of whiskey.

Some people mistakenly believe that coffee, a cold shower, exercise, or fresh air can sober them up. This is not true. The only thing that sobers you up is time.

The Risks of Driving a Car While Using Drugs

Drugs and medications can be as dangerous as alcohol when mixed with driving. Illegal drugs are particularly risky, because users cannot be sure of the contents, purity, or possible effects of these substances. Prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines can also hurt your ability to drive safely. Some cold remedies, allergy medicines, tranquilizers, and pain relievers may cause drowsiness. Diet pills and "stay awake" drugs may cause excitability or drowsiness.

Individuals have different reactions to the same drug, depending on physical condition. Combinations of drugs, or drugs with alcohol, can have unexpected effects.

Protect Yourself and Others from Drunk Driving Accidents

Never drink and drive an automobile.

If you plan on drinking, select a designated driver ahead of time who is not going to drink. Otherwise, ask someone for a ride, call a taxi, take a bus, or seek other assistance. In short, do whatever you need to do to avoid getting behind the wheel of a car if your driving may be impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Be a good friend, if someone you know has been drinking or using drugs. Do not let him or her try to operate an automobile. If necessary, take away the person’s car keys. Help your friend find a safe ride home or a place to sleep.

Never ride with anyone who has been drinking or using drugs. Be sure a driver is completely sober before you get into the car.

Recognizing Drunk Drivers on the Highway

At times, it is possible to recognize drivers who may have been drinking or using drugs. Stay alert, and watch for signs of a drunk driver. They may:

• Weave within the traffic lane.
• Wander from one lane to another.
• Run off the pavement.
• Stop too quickly or slowly.
• Drive too quickly or slowly.
• Go through stop signs or other signals.
• Drive on the wrong side of the road.

These signs do not always mean that the driver of the car is intoxicated, but they do require your full attention. When you are on the road near a potential drunk driver, put as much distance as possible between your car and that person’s vehicle. If you are behind the vehicle, think twice about trying to pass. If you are ahead of that car, leave space for the drunk driver to pass you. Stay alert, because you may encounter the same car further down the road.

If possible, report the dangerous situation to the police. Call 911 and give the emergency operator a description and license plate number of the drunk driver’s car, and the location of the vehicle.

Step-by-step instructions on how to protect yourself if you are in a car accident.

Auto accidents are a significant cause of disabling injuries and deaths throughout the nation.

The facts about car accidents are alarming:

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicles accidents killed 43,443 Americans in 2005.
• Another 2,494,000 people were injured in car crashes in that year alone.
• Of those who died in highway accidents, three out of four were occupants of motor vehicles.
• About 4,550 of the deceased victims were motorcyclists.
• Another 5,665 of the people killed in car accidents were bicyclists or pedestrians.
• Almost 17,000 of the fatal motor vehicle accidents was related to alcohol use.

A car accident can be a very upsetting experience. But it is very important not to panic after a car accident. Instead, keep a clear head.

First, and most important, Stay Calm
Focus first on acting to protect yourself and help other car accident victims. Do not discuss the car accident with anyone other than the police. Do not blame anyone, including yourself. Never argue with the other driver — even if you are sure that person caused the car accident.

Second, Get Help
Do not leave the site of the car accident. Call 9-1-1 from the car accident scene, to tell police about the collision.If anyone was injured, ask the 9-1-1 operator to send emergency medical personnel to the car accident site immediately.

Set flares, if you carry them, to warn other drivers to slow down and avoid the people and vehicles involved in the car accident.

Obtain the Drivers Facts
Write down the name, address, phone number, driver’s license number and state, license plate number, registration, and auto insurance information, including the insurance policy number.

Ownership Facts
If the driver of the other vehicle was not the owner, write down the name, address, insurance company, and auto insurance policy number of the owner of that vehicle.

Injured Parties
Ask the police about all injured parties, including the passengers in the automobiles. If possible, take down their names, addresses, dates of birth, gender, and extent of injuries. Witnesses
Look around for anyone who may have seen the car accident, including bystanders and occupants of other vehicles. Be sure to write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all these witnesses.

Damages
Write down the make, body type, year, and license number of all the motor vehicles involved in the car accident. Also, note the damage to each of the vehicles.

Car Accident Scene
Draw a diagram of the car accident site. Mark down the street names, and the location of any stop lights, traffic control signs, or other landmarks. Note the path of each motor vehicle just before the place where they collided.

Protect Your Health
After an automobile accident, get medical attention. Sometimes, car accident victims are too stunned right after a bad collision to know whether or not they were hurt. Therefore, it is wise to see your personal physician as soon as possible. Tell your doctor about the motor vehicle collision, so that he or she can check for internal injuries that may result from a traumatic accident. Report the Car Accident
If police did not come to the car accident scene, call the police to file a report, as soon as you are able to make a telephone call. If the driver of the other vehicle fled the crash scene, you still must report the car accident to the police. Get a copy of the police report whenever it is available.

File an Auto Insurance Claim
Tell your auto insurance company about the car accident immediately and get an insurance claim number. Ask the auto insurance representative to open a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) file, to preserve all of your rights under your policy.

Be sure to let your insurance company know if you were in a hit-and-run car accident. Some insurance policies require notice of a claim involving an unidentified driver within 30 days of the car accident.

Tell your own auto insurance company that you claim your right to any uninsured or under insured motorist coverage, in case the car or truck that hit you was not covered by motor vehicle insurance. Insurance companies often require prompt notice of these claims and may deny these benefits to anyone who does not follow the strict requirements in their policies.