New Year’s Day consistently ranks as one of the deadliest days on U.S. roads, according to data from MADD and AAA. And with holiday travel projected to be at the busiest in 6 years, drivers should be extra cautious if they are out and about ringing in 2015.
Revelers making poor decision and getting behind the wheel after drinking has resulted in hundreds of deaths in a very small time period. According to MADD statistics, 437 people were killed over the New Years holiday in 2009 and 297 were killed in 2010.
Although drunken-driving incidents are down in recent years, officials say New Year’s Eve still can be a dangerous night on the roads. Public safety officials work hard to make sure drunk drivers stay off the road.
Officials are urging party-goers to plan a safe ride home on New Year’s Eve and throughout the New Year. Many law enforcement agencies will be stepping up DWI patrols on New Year’s Eve.
To help you and others stay safe on the roads as 2012 comes to a close, AAA offers up the following tips:
– Always plan ahead to designate a non-drinking driver before any party or celebration begins
– Never get behind the wheel of a car when you’ve been drinking alcohol – even after just one drink
– Never ride as a passenger in a car driven by someone who has been drinking alcohol – even after just one drink
– Do not hesitate to take the keys from friends or family members who may be impaired
– Call a taxi for a friend in need
– Be a responsible host in reminding guests to stay safe and always offer alcohol-free beverages
– If you encounter an impaired driver on the road, keep a safe distance and ask a passenger to call 911 (or pull over to a safe location to make the call yourself)
– Remember: prescription, over-the-counter medications and illegal drugs also can impair your ability to drive safely
The sobering statistics have prompted AAA, which has over 51 million members, to announce its support for ignition interlocks for convicted DUI offenders “to strengthen efforts to protect the public against drunk drivers and reduce alcohol-related traffic deaths.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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It may seem odd, but Halloween is becoming one of the most dangerous days on the roads. Accidents caused by drinking and driving around the holiday are up, and a new study by State Farm andSperling’s Best Places shows the day is deadliest for child pedestrians.
Drunk driving accidents are the biggest concern for families who may be driving their tots around after a fun evening of trick-or-treating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 40% of all car accident fatalities on Halloween are caused by drunk drivers.
So we here at AOL Autos thought it was time to take a look at the safest cars you can carry your family in — theminivan. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested each of these cars for their performance in high-speed frontal and side crash tests, a rollover test and evaluations of seat and head restraints for neck injuries in rear impact crashes.
MSRP: $27,020 – $44,280
Invoice: $25,912 – $42,465
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
TheVW Routan has gotten the IIHS’s highest rating in every category in every test conducted on the car since 2009.
Besides being structurally sound, the minivan also comes with a number of features that help keep occupants safe. It comes with stability control and traction control, both which keep the car well-grounded and prevent it from tipping over. It has front, rear and third row head airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system that helps drivers know when their tires might need air.
The VW Routan is essentially a re-badged, slightly tinkered Chrysler Town and Country. Given the popularity of those minivans, you’d think the Routan would be faring better in the marketplace. But the car just hasn’t caught on. VW doesn’t market it much either, so awareness of the VW is low.
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MSRP: $26,435 – $41,325
Invoice: $24,453 – $38,020
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
Since 1998, theToyota Sienna has received top scores on all of the IIHS crash tests except once. For 2005 models that didn’t have optional side airbags, the minivan only got an “acceptable” rating, instead of a good rating.
But it’s still a very safe car. All of the trim levels come with side curtain airbags for all three rows, which ensures that, in the event of a rollover accident all occupants will stay inside the car. That’s a plus, because being thrown from a car during a violent crash is one of the leading causes of death (although people will sometimes anecdotally bring up cases where someone was thrown from a car and survived, it is generally something you don’t want to have happen.)
Higher trim levels offer more safety features, like a pre-collision protection system and rear-view cameras for backing up.
MSRP: $28,575 – $43,925
Invoice: $26,138 – $40,139
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 27 mpg Highway
Honda was one of the first automakers to realize drivers with families were very interested in having safe cars. So they started putting as many safety features on their vehicles as standard equipment – meaning buyers wouldn’t have to pay more – as they possibly could. That move has resulted in a well-earned reputation for safety.
TheOdyssey is one of the IIHS top picks for minivans. Additionally, 2011 model year Odysseys and younger are the only minivans to get a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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MSRP: $19,995 – $29,995
Invoice: $19,745 – $28,545
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
One of the most popular minivans around, theGrand Caravan is also one of the safest. Chrysler, Dodge’s parent company, invented the minivan back in 1984. The cars were easy to see out of, held a lot of stuff and passengers, and were easy for children to get in and out of.
The Grand Caravan, and its sister car the Chrysler Town& Country, have advanced safety features beyond visibility issues.
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MSRP: $29,995 – $39,995
Invoice: $28,735 – $37,935
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
The almost twin minivans from Dodge and Chrysler offer seven airbags and employ 8 different crush zones to keep occupants safe in the event of a crash.
The minivans also offer electronic stability control and other accident avoidant measures, because the best defense against fatal crashes is to never crash in the first place.
Research the Chrysler Town & Country
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