HENDRY COUNTY- The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) recently issued a public service announcement regarding impaired driving.

Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 6 and 27, and according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), almost half of these cases involve alcohol. But it’s not just young people who have to worry. MADD reports one out of every three Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their life. A crash involving alcohol kills someone every half-hour and injures someone every two minutes in this country.

Under Florida law, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances is one offense, proved by impairment of normal faculties or an unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above. The penalties upon conviction are the same, regardless of the manner in which the offense is proven. Drivers under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol level of 0.02 percent or more will have their license immediately suspended for six months for a first offense. A second offense will result in a one-year suspension.

HSCO provided even more sobering facts about the cost of drunk driving:

• On average, a DUI can set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, and more.

• The financial impact from impaired-driving crashes is devastating. Based on 2010 numbers (the most recent year for which cost data is available), impaired-driving crashes cost the United States $44 billion annually.

• If you’re caught drinking and driving, you can face jail time. Imagine trying to explain that to your friends and family or your place of employment.

• Drinking and driving can cause you to lose your driver’s license and your vehicle. This could inhibit you from getting to work, resulting in lost wages and, potentially, job loss.

What can you do to avoid becoming a statistic? Here are some simple steps:

• Identify a designated driver for your group.
• Do not let friends drive after drinking. Take their keys.
• If you have been drinking, get a ride home from a friend who has not been drinking or call a taxi.
• If you host a party with alcohol, offer alcohol-free beverages and remind guests to designate a sober driver.
• As a parent or caregiver, talk to your teens about the dangers of drinking and driving. Ask them to sign a pledge promising to not drink and drive.
• If you suspect a drunk driver on the road, call the police and provide the location, direction the vehicle is headed, the vehicle’s make, model, color and license plate number.