Driving sober is only part of the deal – using your seat belt is equally important!
When the police conduct periods of increased enforcement for drunk driving, they often also focus on seat belt enforcement as well. Why? Because while it’s important for everyone’s safety to have fewer drunk drivers on the road, making sure that everyone is using their seatbelt in accordance with the law is equally important. However, despite the efforts made by law enforcement to increase awareness, there are still many myths and misunderstandings surrounding both drunk driving and seat belt use.
We’d like to clear a few of those myths up for you.
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Seat Belt Myth:
Safety belts can trap you inside your car.
The Facts:
In a collision severe enough to cause a fire in the vehicle, or submerge the car in the water, anyone without a safety belt could be unconscious as a result of hitting their head inside the car. An unconscious person cannot escape a vehicle, however a conscious person can unbuckle themselves, or cut through the safety belt after the crash and escape the vehicle.
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Drunk Driving Myth:
Drinking coffee of taking cold showers will sober you up.
The Facts:
The only way to sober up after drinking is by giving your body enough time to metabolize the alcohol. On average, you need approximately 2 hours to fully metabolize one standard alcoholic drink.
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Seat Belt Myth:
Safety belts are needed for long trips, but aren’t important for short trips.
The Facts:
Statistics show that most car crashes happen within 25 miles of home. Also, side impact crashes, which usually happen at intersections, account for a full third of all traffic crash fatalities.
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Drunk Driving Myth:
Using breath mints or trying to hyperventilating before you submit to a breathalyzer will affect your results by giving you a lower BAC reading.
The Facts:
It’s impossible to change or affect the reading of a breathalyzer by breathing in a different way, or by making your breath smell less alcoholic to the human nose. Any of the old tricks that you read on the internet about how to change your BAC reading normally do not work.
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Seat Belt Myth:
It is better to be thrown clear of the crash than crushed in the vehicle.
The Facts:
People who are thrown clear of the crash are removed from the vehicle’s built in safety systems. In addition to safety belts and airbags, there are passive systems like crumple zones, shatterproof glass, and soft interior surfaces that reduce injuries. When you’re thrown clear of the vehicle, your body hits hard objects, like the ground or poles, without any protection. People thrown clear of cars during crashes are often more severely hurt, and have a higher rate of death.
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Drunk Driving Myth:
When you’re arrested for drunk driving, you just pay a fine and that’s it.
The Facts:
A DUI conviction in Michigan will cost you thousands. Along with the fines you will have to pay, there will also be court fees, your attorney’s fees, mandatory classes, mandatory alcohol testing, probation oversight fees, Secretary of State fees, increased insurance costs and if required, court ordered ignition interlock installation costs and monthly fees. And there’s always the chance of jail time, random testing, and community service.
Using a seat belt, and only driving sober are both important!
In a perfect world, everyone would always buckle up, and no one would get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But this isn’t a perfect world and people make mistakes. Here at The Kronzek Firm, we understand that someone you misjudge your capabilities, or use poor judgement and need help. That’s what we’re here for. So call 866 766 5245 (866 7No Jail) today and talk to someone who can help.
