SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To help prevent a tragedy that could ruin your fiesta this Cinco de Mayo, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) encourages you to plan ahead and designate a sober driver before the celebrations begin.
In 2013, 115 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes due to drunk driving over the Cinco de Mayo weekend. Sadly, 21 percent of all the drivers in fatal crashes that weekend had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) that were almost two times the legal limit in every state.
"Drunk driving deaths are tragedies that are 100 percent preventable," said Office of Traffic Safety Director, Rhonda Craft. "If you plan on drinking, a minute of your time to call a friend, family member, or cab service for a ride is all it takes to save your life and the lives of others on the roadways."
The Office of Traffic Safety offers these tips to help you have a safe time this Cinco de Mayo and any time you have plans involving alcohol:
1) Plan your ride ahead of time:
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Designate a sober driver before the tequila starts flowing. If you're headed out for the night, treat your friends to free, non-alcoholic drinks and other perks by visiting a Designated Driver VIP bar or RADD Rewards bar or restaurant near you. Download the DDVIP mobile app for iPhone or Android or visit www.collegeisradd.org for a list of locations with offers for designated sober drivers.
- Call a friend or taxi, or use public transportation or a local sober ride program to get home safely.
2) If you're hosting a party, visit the OTS Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS and click on the DDrink album for delicious, non-alcoholic recipes that you can make at home for all of the designated drivers in attendance.
3) If you see someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys or alert their friends to help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.
4) Report Drunk Drivers! Call 9-1-1. When calling, be prepared to offer a description of the vehicle, location, and direction of travel. You could save a life.
The California Office of Traffic Safety wishes you a divertido/fun Cinco de Mayo. For more on OTS, join us on Twitter at @OTS_CA or "like" us at www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS and keep up with the latest traffic safety information. For more information on all OTS efforts, visit www.OTS.ca.gov.