Twitter Chat: Hot Cars Kill Kids

Every 10 days, vehicular heatstroke kills a child in the United States. Every 10 days, a parent loses a child to a preventable death. Since 1998, there have been 677 deaths – including 16 already this year. It's time to stop vehicular heatstroke from killing our children. The time to take action is now! 

On July 12, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is hosting a Twitter chat to raise awareness about the dangers of heatstroke. Join them in this life-saving conversation with tweets and retweets of your own. Take this message to your friends, families, and followers, and tell them to share it, too.

Who: NHTSA and YOU! 

What: #HeatstrokeKills Twitter Chat 

When: Tuesday, July 12, 2016, 3-4 p.m. ET 

Where: www.twitter.com/NHTSAgov 

How: Follow the conversation using the hashtag #HeatstrokeKills. Feel free to mention @NHTSAgov in any of your tweets and they will get back to as many questions and comments as they can! Remember to include #HeatstrokeKills in your comments so others can follow along with the conversation, too. 

Fourth of July Buzzed Driving Twitter Chat

Driving buzzed can turn celebration into tragedy in an instant. With July 4th approaching, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding people of the cost of buzzed driving over the holiday. In 2012, 179 people were killed in crashes over the holiday period. Of those deaths, 44 percent were in crashes that involved alcohol.

We’re asking for your support to remind everyone to plan ahead - to ensure their Fourth of July list includes not only fireworks at the park and hot dogs on the grill, but a sober ride home for themselves or their guests. The only red, white, and blue we want anyone to see this holiday should be from the fireworks, not from cops and ambulances.

On July 2nd, NHTSA is hosting a Twitter chat to discuss the dangers of buzzed driving in an easy to share way. They’re also posting tips on how to keep the roads sober and still enjoy the holiday. 

WHEN: July 2nd at 4pm ET

WHERE: http://www.twitter.com/NHTSAgov, use hash tag #buzzeddriving

Prevent Child Heatstroke Deaths in Hot Cars

Join National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Safe Kids Worldwide, and safety advocates on social media to raise awareness about the dangers to children in hot cars. Child heatstroke messaging, statistics and prevention tips will be posted on Facebook and Twitter – using the hashtag #heatstroke – every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, today.  

At least 24 children have died due to heatstroke already in 2013 – medically termed “hyperthermia.” With record-setting heat blanketing significant portions of the country for much of this summer, we are urging parents and caregivers to think, “Where’s Baby? Look Before You Lock,” the primary message in NHTSA’s heatstroke public education campaign.

When the outside temperature is in the low 80s, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels in only 10 minutes, even with a window rolled down two inches. Children’s bodies overheat easily, and infants and children under four years old are at the greatest risk for heat-related illness.

Help spread the word and prevent anymore of these tragic deaths. Urge parents to take precautions, such as:

•  Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle — even if the windows are partially open or the engine is running and the air conditioning is on;
•  Make a habit of looking in the vehicle — front and back — before locking the door and walking away;
•  Ask the childcare provider to call if the child does not show up for care as expected;
•  Do things that serve as a reminder that a child is in the vehicle, such as placing a purse or briefcase in the back seat to ensure no child is accidentally left in the vehicle, or writing a note or using a stuffed animal placed in the driver’s view to indicate a child is in the car seat; and,
• Teach children that a vehicle is not a play area and store keys out of a child’s reach.

In addition, NHTSA and Safe Kids urge community members who see a child alone in a hot vehicle to immediately call 911 or the local emergency number. A child in distress due to heat should be removed from the vehicle as quickly as possible and rapidly cooled.

To learn more about NHTSA’s “Where’s Baby? Look Before You Lock.” campaign, visit www.SaferCar.gov/heatstroke.  To learn more about Safe Kids’ “Never Leave Your Child Alone in a Car” campaign, visit www.safekids.org/heatstroke .

NHTSA Hosting Twitter Chat on Buzzed Driving, Tuesday at 2 pm ET

Every year, thousands of lives are lost due to impaired driving on holidays such as St. Patrick’s Day. In fact, over 700 people died from 2006-2010 on St. Patrick’s Day alone because of drunk driving.

That’s why this year we’re talking about more than shamrocks. On Tuesday, March 12, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hosting a Twitter chat to discuss the dangers of buzzed and drunk driving. Starting at 2 pm ET,NHTSA safety experts will be on hand to answer your questions about buzzed driving. They’ll be sharing facts and tips for how to keep safe and make certain you can enjoy the party while still getting home alive.

Remember:

• A person is killed every 51 minutes from drunk driving.
• 129 people in 2010 died on St. Patrick’s Day because of drunk driving.
• Plan a safe way home BEFORE the party starts.
• If you see someone driving buzzed on the road, call your local law enforcement.

We want people to know the very real risks of driving buzzed. It can result in jail time, loss of driver’s license, or, worst of all, loss of life. You have the power to help. Come join NHTSA on 3/12 at 2pm, ET, on Twitter. Follow the hash tag #buzzeddriving and ask questions.

Buzzed Driving Could Cost Around $10,000 – Six Tips To Prevent It

Did you know getting pulled over for Buzzed Driving could cost a driver around $10,000 in fines, legal fees, and increased insurance rates?

As the excitement and celebrations of the holiday season get into full swing, one thing that may not be on people’s minds is buzzed driving.  However, over 10,000 people were killed in 2010 in drunk driving crashes.  A buzzed driving crash can happen to anyone, anywhere.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council are continuing their fight against drunk driving with the Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving PSA campaign.  So during this holiday season, amid all the hype, the shopping, and the parties, here are six easy tips to help prevent buzzed driving:

1. Spread the message about buzzed driving -http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/preHolidaySeason2012
2. Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
3. If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
4. If your community has a program that offers free rides home, use it.
5. If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local police.
6. Remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. If you know people who are about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, take the driver’s keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.

You can find more information, get the latest updates and  ask questions on the Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving Twitter feed (@NHTSAgov) and on Facebook. Be sure to join the Twitter Party Dec. 11, 2-3 p.m., where the topic is dangers of Buzzed Driving. Use the hash tag #buzzedriving. 

Additional Resources >> Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over >> Impaired Driving Information at NHTSA.gov

Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving

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 ahead for a safe and sober way home.

For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out for drinking and celebrating with friends and family.  Unfortunately, some of these people might also be driving home from their festivities and therefore, the night out has also become potentially dangerous.

On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

Remember the  importance to:

• Plan ahead and 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 2009, 1,119 occupants of other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, so pay attention to others on the road.  And remember, you don’t have to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to drive safely. Even a few drinks can impair driving…and a buzzed driving crash has the same consequences as a drunk driving crash.

NHTSA needs your help in keeping the roads safe for everyone this St. Patrick’s Day by spreading the word that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

Follow Buzzed Driving on Facebook  and Twitter for more information.

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Don't rely on dumb luck this St. Patrick's Day. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

Help Save Lives with the National Seat Check Saturday/Child Passenger Safety Week

Each year, thousands of children are tragically injured and killed in automobile accidents. In fact, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 and older.

The reason? Most parents and caregivers don't realize that their children aren't properly restrained in their car. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that nearly 3 out of 4 car seats are not used correctly.

We're aiming to change that with National Seat Check Saturday on September 25.  As part of Child Passenger Safety Week (September 19-25), communities nationwide will have certified technicians available to provide hands-on child safety seat inspections and advice - for free!

You can find instructional videos, handy informational flyers, and links to product ratings and recall lists at  http://childcarsafety.adcouncil.org/

Additionally, the Child Passenger Safety Twitter account (@childseatsafety) will be hosting a Twitter party on Wednesday, September 22 at 2 p.m. EST. NHTSA experts will be available to offer information and insight on car seats and how to travel safely with children. Just use the hashtag #CPSweek to follow along and ask your questions.

For more information on Child Passenger Safety Week and to find your local car seat inspection station visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS or http://www.facebook.com/childpassengersafety.

Help Stop Buzzed Driving

Did you know that in 2008, just over the Labor Day holiday weekend, 194 people were killed in crashes involving an impaired driver?

 

This Labor Day, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council are trying to remind people to plan ahead and designate a sober driver for any Labor Day celebration because "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving."

• Designated Driver Drink List - One of the most important things you can do before you go out is to designate a sober driver. If you're throwing a party, make sure to offer up non-alcoholic drinks for the sober drivers in your group. We have compiled a Facebook tab with 50 non-alcoholic party drink recipes right here.
• Alternative Ride Locator - We have created a new Facebook tabwith a nationwide list of alternative ride programs 

• Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving website- Sign a pledge not to drink and drive, play "Spot the Difference," an interactive game that simulates the effects of buzzed driving , and watch a real-life video about how buzzed driving changed one woman's life.  

Related articles by Zemanta

• Plan for a Safe and Sober Drive Home from Your Fourth of July Celebration (susanheim.blogspot.com)
• Labor Day Traffic Increases in 2010 (homesecuritysource.com)