Dec. 14, 2022
Avoid the 4Ds of Impaired Driving
Each year, at the beginning of December, Lee Health joins local law enforcement for a press conference to urge our community to drive safely and avoid the “four Ds of impaired driving.” The 4Ds stand for drunk, drugged, distracted and drowsy driving.
Maria Alfaro, M.D., a trauma surgeon with Lee Health, was one of the guest speakers discussing the realities of impaired driving, especially the 4Ds, which are the most common causes of traffic collisions in Lee County. Dr. Alfaro says that motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of injuries seen at the Trauma Center at Gulf Coast Medical Center, and 25 percent of trauma alerts involve alcohol.
Dr. Alfaro reminds us that there is always a risk of traffic accidents, and she shared that Lee County roadways saw 14,336 crashes in 2021, 115 of which were fatalities (according to the Florida Crash Dashboard). Also, as of Nov. 24, the Crash Dashboard reports that there have been 13,431 crashes, and 111 of those were fatal.
This time of year, though, with holiday parties, shopping excursions and more travel, the risk of accidents, especially those caused by the 4Ds, increase.
As the home of the region’s Level II trauma center, we at Lee Health want to do what we can to raise awareness and prevent injuries.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure our roads are safe for everyone who uses them,” Dr. Alfaro says. “Do not drive drunk, drugged or drowsy, and keep your attention on the task of driving.”
Remember, too, speed kills. Dr. Alfaro explains that there is a 45 percent chance of killing a person you hit if you are driving 30 miles per hour; if you are going 40 miles per hour, the chance of killing a person you hit is 85 percent.
“Stay focused – watch for pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles,” she adds. “And when you are driving, keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and always wear your seatbelt.”
Thank you, Dr. Alfaro for joining our community partners to raise awareness of such an important topic and a message that our community should heed every day and night, not just during the holidays.