Naples, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2010 -- As summer approaches and millions of drivers take to the roads, it’s important to remember the dangers of operating a car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Crash rates are typically higher in the months of June, July and August. Extra caution must be heeded so you and your loved ones don’t become highway safety statistics.
In one year, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives.
“There’s no excuse for driving drunk,” says Drunk Driving Prevention Expert Patrick Moorton. “Everyone knows what to do: Plan ahead, designate a sober driver or call a cab. Whatever you do, don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.”
Even drivers with breath alcohol concentrations below the legal limit are responsible for thousands of fatalities each year.
“All drunk driving fatalities are completely preventable,” Moorton adds. “If only they called a cab.”
In January, Moorton, owner of Gift Card Services LLC, launched the “Your Designated Driver On Me” (http://www.yourdesignateddriveronme.com) program to offer a practical solution to the drunk driving epidemic. Moorton teamed up with Obopay to present a prepaid Family MasterCard Service that allows the user to send and receive money instantly by mobile phone.
Money can be added to the card in advance or when the need arises. “Your Designated Driver On Me” is designed to provide safe transportation for people who might otherwise endanger themselves or others by driving while impaired.
“It’s really a simple premise,” Moorton says. “This program allows money to be added to the card by way of a mobile phone so if you find that you’ve spent all your money at the bar and can’t afford a cab, well, now you can call a friend or family member and they can send you the money instantly. I really doubt they would turn you down.”
The launch of “Your Designated Driver On Me,” creates an effective weapon against the perils of drunk driving.
“If you’re a mother, father, brother, sister, grandparent, or friend who wants to reduce the incidents of drunk driving and keep your loved ones safe, ‘Your Designated Driver On Me’ is a great way to do so,” Moorton says.