BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif –
Cinco de Mayo in the United States has become synonymous not only with tacos, sombreros, and piñatas, but also with margaritas, tequila, and beer.
With alcohol such a big part Cinco de Mayo festivities, it's no surprise that drunk driving is especially high on May 5th.
Almost half of all traffic crash fatalities that occur on Cinco de Mayo involve drunk driving. That tells us that people aren't planning ahead.
Your total force safety offices and Beale Airmen Against Drunk Driving would like to remind partygoers to plan ahead and be a good wingman.
"Cinco de Mayo has unfortunately become one of the most dangerous days of the year because of drunk driving," said Lt. Col. Lewis Harding, 940th Wing Chief of Safety. "Some people have this misconception that they can drink a little and still drive safely, but that's just not true. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving."
From 2011 to 2012, the number of people killed in drunk driving crashes on Cinco de Mayo more than doubled. In all fatal crashes in 2012, seventy-one percent of the drunk drivers involved had blood alcohol concentrations of .15 or higher--almost twice the legal limit.
Here's the worst part: drunk-driving deaths are one hundred percent preventable.
"We want everyone to have a safe and happy Cinco de Mayo, by taking a few minutes to get a plan together ahead of time," said Harding. "People don't usually plan to drive drunk; they just don't have a better plan. Unfortunately, that can cost them and others on the roadways - possibly injury or even death - and it will definitely have career implications for service members."
Preventing drunk driving is as easy as uno, dos, tres!
1. Plan your ride ahead of time by designating a sober driver before the fiesta begins.
2. If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local police. You could save a life.
3. If you know people who are about to drive or ride while impaired, be a good wingman. Take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get safely to where they are going.
Remember, drunk driving is never the answer. There's always another, better option. Call a friend or a taxi, use public transportation, or call the B.A.A.D.D line at (530) 300-8315 to get a ride home.