---

Plan Ahead to Ensure a Safe Holiday Driving Season

21 December 1999

Plan Ahead to Ensure a Safe Holiday Driving Season; Governor Calls for Caution on North Carolina Roadways

    RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 21 -- Gov. Jim Hunt and highway safety
leaders are calling for caution on North Carolina roadways this holiday season
to reduce the number of traffic-related injuries and fatalities.
    "The joy of the season can turn to tragedy when families are faced with
the terrible consequences of motor vehicle crashes," Hunt said.  "Whether
you're traveling across town or across the state, don't leave your driveway
until everyone is buckled up, and never drive after drinking."
    Last year in North Carolina, 12 people were killed and 910 injured during
the three-day Christmas travel period.  An additional 14 people were killed
and 1,291 injured during the four-day New Year's travel period.
    Hunt reminded motorists that recently enacted child passenger safety laws
require all children up to age 16 to ride buckled up no matter where they sit
in the vehicle.  All children up to age 5 must ride in a weight-appropriate
child passenger safety seat.  If the vehicle has an active passenger-side
airbag, that safety seat must be used in the back seat.
    Transportation Secretary David McCoy encouraged families to go beyond the
law and make it family policy for all children up to age 12 to ride buckled up
in the back seats.
    "Safety experts tell us the back seat is the safest place for children,"
McCoy said.  "We all make special efforts to make the holidays memorable for
our children, but we must make time every day to ensure that they are safely
restrained and protected from crash-related injury."
    McCoy added that holiday revelers should plan ahead to make certain they
can get safely to and from their party locations.
    "Be sure to have a designated driver, or make plans to take a taxi," McCoy
said.  "Impaired driving wasn't tolerated in North Carolina during this
millennium, and it won't be tolerated in the next one, either.  You can count
on law enforcement agencies across the state to step up their enforcement of
impaired driving laws during the holiday season."
    Joe Parker, director of the Governor's Highway Safety Program, offered
advice to motorists whose holiday travel plans may expose them to extreme cold
or wintry weather.  "We're accustomed to relatively mild conditions here, but
travelers should prepare for potential hazards before leaving home," Parker
said.
    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers these tips for
safer winter driving:

    * Maintain your car: Check battery and tire tread, keep your windows
clear, put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir, and check your antifreeze.
    * Have on hand: Flashlight and batteries, jumper cables, abrasive material
(such as sand or kitty litter), shovel, snow brush and ice scraper, warning
devices (like flares or reflective devices) and blankets.  For longer trips,
add food and water, medication and a cellular phone.
    * Stopped or stalled: Stay with your car, don't over exert, put bright
markers on antenna or windows and shine dome light, and, if you run your car,
clear exhaust pipe and run it just enough to stay warm.
    * Plan your route: Allow plenty of time (check weather reports and leave
early if necessary), be familiar with maps or directions, and let others know
your route and planned arrival time.

    For additional information about this and other North Carolina highway
safety issues, call Jill Warren Lucas or Erica Hinton at the GHSP,
919-733-3083, or visit our website at: http://www.dot.state.nc.us/services/ghsp