In December 2009 the NHTSA released the report "Fatalities and Fatality Rates in Alcohol- Impaired-Driving Crashes by State, 2007-2008."

The report says that in 2008, as compared to 2007, the overall fatality rate declined from 1.36 to 1.25 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT), a decrease of 8%, and the alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate declined from 0.43 to 0.40 fatalities per 100 million VMT, a decrease of 7%. From 2007 to 2008, the alcohol-impaired-driving fatality rate declined in 40 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and remained the same or increased in the remaining 10 States. An alcohol-impaired-driving crash is defined as a crash involving at least one driver or motorcycle rider (operator) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher.

View the full report here

These results are encouraging, and the overall vehicle fatality rates for the first half (January-June) of 2009 look promising as well.

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Mohegan Sun Works to
Prevent Drunk Driving

The Mohegan Sun casino is taking steps to combat drunken driving and the changes will be evident next time you visit.

Following three DUI related deaths in 2009, both the Connecticut State Police and the Mohegan Tribe have stepped up DUI monitoring campaigns.

All casino employees have taken four-hour training courses for certification on alcohol awareness so that they know the signs of someone who is intoxicated.  An individual who is thought to be intoxicated will be taken to the lounge and offered a free Breathalyzer test.  If the individual is 'tagged' as intoxicated in the casino's computer system they won't be able drive home and can't puchase any alcoholic beverages at the casino for 24 hours.  They will however offer to call a cab for you.

Pretty cool idea of using technology to prevent intoxicated casino goers from driving drunk.

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Source: WFSB Channel 3 News, http://www.wfsb.com/news/21764054/detail.html

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We encourage you to leave expressive comments, let yourself be heard!

Drunk driving is a problem we have all been touched by in one way or another, whether it is directly through a victim that was yourself, a friend or family member; or indirectly by reading a magazine article or watching the news.  Are you looking for a way to help eliminate drunk driving?

Here are 4 ways in which you can help:

Educate yourself. Do research on the web, read a book or a blog on the topic of drunk driving. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving crashes involving a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater). These deaths make up 31.6% of the total traffic fatalities in 2008. (Source: NHTSA, 2009)

Don't drink and drive. If you consume any alcohol, don't drive. If you are at a gathering, bar or restuarant have a friend, family member or taxi drive you home. If you drink at home, stay home.

Become a designated driver. If your friends like to drink, becoming the designated driver in your group could save their lives and the lives of others on the road.

Get involved. There are local and national activist groups and online communities with the goal of eliminating drunk driving. One of the largest activist groups is Mothers Against Drunk Driving. From there you can sign their pledge to eliminate drunk driving.

Got comments? We'd love to hear from you!

Hypoglycemia Symptoms

Los Angeles DUI lawyer Lawrence Taylor, known nationally as the "Dean of DUI Attorneys", claims that many citizens accused - and convicted - of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) are actually innocent.  Their crime: diabetes.

Taylor, the author of the best-selling legal treatise Drunk Driving Defense, claims that the symptoms of a diabetic with hypoglycemia (low sugar level) resemble those of alcohol intoxication.  Further, he claims, diabetics have a chemical in their breath which causes breathalyzers to register high blood-alcohol levels.

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Source: Reuters; http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS79539+21-Sep-2009+PRN20090921

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This is important to note for all the diabetics out there, if you are comteplating purchasing a breathalyzer you should look at the fuel-cell models available.  A fuel-cell breathalyzer is not affected by the ketones present in those with diabetes so you will not get a false positive because of your condition.

Fortunately you can purchase a fuel-cell breathalyzer right here, take a look at the AlcoHAWK PT500 and decide if it is right for you.

Got comments? Let's hear em'!

Here is a video that has some good tips to help you avoid a false positive.  We always recommend that you wait 20 minutes after the smoking, eating or drinking before testing. Failure to wait 20 minutes can give inaccurate BAC readings and harm the sensor of your personal breathalyzer.

Drunk Driving: How To Avoid A False Positive Breathalyzer Test