During the 2019 Memorial Day weekend in Texas, there were 360 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Those crashes killed 16 people and seriously injured another 34.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is teaming up with TxDOT to spread the message about the dangers of drunken driving. Even one drink can be one too many.
As people head to the lake, beach or host a cookout, they may choose to drink alcohol or use impairing drugs. Texas law enforcement officers will be out in force looking for impaired drivers.
People are looking for a reason to celebrate, and we want our community members to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend, but we also want to impress upon everyone the importance of safe driving. If you’ve been drinking, make the right choice to find a sober driver to get you, and your friends, home safely.
According to NHTSA, 10,142 people were killed in drunken driving crashes in 2019. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2015 to 2019—one person was killed in a drunken driving crash every 52 minutes in 2019.
This is why AgriLife Extension is working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunken driving is not only illegal, but also a matter of life and death. Help Agri-Life Extension and NHTSA spread the word this Memorial Day weekend: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
If selected as the designated driver, make sure to keep that promise of safety to passengers.
It can be a long day and even into the night, but people are counting on the designated driver, not to mention the other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the streets.
Take the role of designated driver seriously—lives are depending on it.
Party with a plan
Before ever heading out, it is vital to plan ahead. Be honest about consuming alcohol. Know whether drinking alcohol is planned or not. Follow these ideas to ensure that all party-goers stay safe.
• Remember, it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if only one alcoholic beverage was consumed, designate a sober driver—or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
• If available, use the community’s sober ride program.
• Impaired driving is an emergency. Call 911 to report a suspected impaired driver.
• Have a friend who has been drinking and is about to drive? Take their keys away and make arrangements to get them home safely, or allow for them to stay the night.
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During the month of May and June, we will be highlighting our Milam County 4-H Seniors graduating in 2021. We are so proud of these youth as they have worked very hard, for most of them, over 10 years in 4-H. They have competed in numerous competitions and have gained life skills they will use their entire life. This week we will be spotlighting Kevin Junek and Grant Widner.
Junek is a Cameron 4-H Club member and has been in 4-H for 10 years. His main project is Rabbits. His extracurricular activities include NHS, Student Council Livestock Judging, High School Weld Offs. Kevin will be attending Texas A&M in the fall. His favorite 4-H memory include Shooting Sports Competitions.
Widner is a Thorndale 4-H Club member and has been in 4-H for 9 years. Grant’s 4-H projects include: Consumer Decision Making, Public Speaking, Health Lifestyles. Grant is currently the Milam County 4-H Council Chairman for 2020- 2021 and he won the Gold Star Award in 2020. His extracurricular activities include Thorndale FFA President, FFA Radio Team, FFA Public Relations Team, FFA Landing Judging Team, Senior Class Treasurer. Grant will be attending Tarleton State University in the fall and majoring in Computer Science. His favorite 4-H memory was when his team won San Antonio Consumer Contest in 2020.
We are very proud of these seniors and their accomplishments. They have all succeeded in the 4-H program • and have served as teen leaders in multiple capacities. We will miss them all so much as they go to college next year.
For information and resources on these great 4-H related activities, go to the website or Facebook page, www.Join4-h.com or www.facebook.com/milamcountyfourH.
For more information about Milam County 4-H, call the Milam County Extension Office at 254-697-7045 or email Holcombe, FCS Agent, at mlholcombe@ag.tamu.edu or Floyd Ingram, Ag Agent, at Floyd.Ingram@ag.tamu.edu.
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