PUNXSUTAWNEY – Captain Bernard J. Petrovsky, commanding officer, Troop C Punxsutawney, would like to ask drivers to use caution and common sense while traveling throughout the commonwealth over the New Year’s holiday.
“With so many people looking forward to celebrating the start of the New Year, we may lose focus on important safety issues,” he said. “Remember, you are responsible for the safety of others and yourself when you get behind the wheel and drive.”
According to him, many drivers think they know how much alcohol they can handle. However, he said they fail to realize that impairment begins after the first drink.
An average person can metabolize one standard alcoholic drink per hour. One standard alcoholic drink is defined as a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, Petrovsky said.
“The only thing that will decrease your blood alcohol content is time. Drinking strong coffee, exercising and taking a cold shower will not help lower your BAC,” he said.
He said nationally, on average about 28 people die from alcohol-related crashes each day. In the United States, he said well more than 200 children die each year at the hands of a drunk driver and typically half are riding with a drunk driver.
“Keep in mind when Auld Lang Syne plays, the night is not over yet, [and] you need to make a decision on how to get home safely,” Petrovsky said. “Have a Happy New Year and a great 2016.”
