St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s not the luck of the Irish that will keep the roads safe.  It’s planning now for a safe and sober way home.

Are you headed out with friends after work this Wednesday to celebrate the holiday?  No?  Well when you and your family are on the road headed to choir practice, a t-ball game, or coming home from school, you may be sharing the road with those returning from a fun St. Patrick’s Day event.  It’s time to spread the word about the dangers of buzzed driving and to remind people that Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving, and the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead.

Let’s remind everyone about the importance of remembering to:

• Designate a sober driver before you leave for your event.
• Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi. Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

Even if you will not be celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day, keep in mind that in 2008, 1,179 people in other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers.  And for those who don’t plan on over-indulging- a buzzed driving crash looks the same as a drunk driving crash.

Global Influence is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council as they continue their efforts with the Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving PSA campaign. Buzzed drivers drink and drive, but do not consider themselves a hazard on the roadway because they have had “only a few” drinks. The campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

To learn more about the impact buzzed driving can have on a life, please watch this important video about the financial and personal repercussions of getting a DUI: http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/sign.php#video

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

Because buzzed driving is stupid.  Yup, I said the “s” word again.

For more information you can follow @buzzeddriving on Twitter.

**By the way, don’t forget I am giving away a Christian CD here, a mattress cover here and an Aircut device here.**

With a 16 year old bonus son and 13 and 12 year olds that are already dreaming of what their first car is going to look like, kids and driving is on my mind.

Thankfully there are sites like The Power of Parents available to educate me and alleviate some of my tension.  When I visited the Power of Parenting website I took the safety quiz (15 questions designed to give you an idea of how “at risk” your child is for underage drinking and driving).

They also have a blog that posts articles about all kinds of issues facing those of us parenting teens/tweens.  I don’t know about you, but parenting kids of this age group can be a little overwhelming so I welcome all the information I can get!

The site offers advice on how to start a dialogue with your kids about alcohol, what to say in situations when alcohol is prensent,etc.  There is even an ask the expert section of the site where parents can submit specific questions.

Right now the only part of the site that is active is the area for high school parents but sections on elementary, middle school and college age kids is coming soon!  I was proud to see that my car insurance provider, Nationwide is the presenting sponsor for the site, as well.

Good job, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, for bringing us mama’s important information about keeping our kids safe (on the road *gasp*)  This mama is so not ready for boys with drivers licenses.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of MADD.  A donation was made to MADD in my name to thank me for taking the time to participate.