A Day of Labor: Separating Drinking from Driving

Smart Start wishes you a happy and festive Labor Day weekend, but we also encourage you to drink responsibly and to stay off the roads after consuming alcoholic beverages. The cost of getting pulled over while intoxicated is substantial, costing thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in fines and court cost, and in some cases imprisonment.

Your actions do affect others. Keep the roads safe for yourself and others by driving sober. Remember, buzz driving is drunk driving, so don’t put your own life or the life of another in danger. Many of our customers have court ordered Ignition Interlock Devices installed due to impaired driving related traffic stops and collisions. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), in 2012 more than 10,000 people were killed in alcohol impaired driving collisions. Drunk driving is not only reckless, but most importantly, preventable.

So enjoy your Labor Day weekend! Have good food, relish the company, the laughter, and maybe even get a little extra time in the sun. Just remember, while this holiday is an exciting time, you want to take a few steps to keep yourself and your guests safe this Labor Day weekend. If you’re hosting a party, or attending one, keep an eye out and make sure your friends and family are drinking responsibly.

A single bad decision can ruin your Labor Day weekend, so if you do plan to offer drinks at your event or to consume alcohol this Labor Day weekend, we offer the following advice:

• Designate a driver who will not consume alcohol before arriving to the event
• Take other forms of transportation: cab, bus, train/subway, or carpooling
• Spend the night at the location where the festivities are taking place
• Always buckle up, it’s your best defense against an impaired driver
• If you are intoxicated do not travel on foot, seek out a cab service, friend, or family member
• Do not travel alone

Labor Day is a tribute to the American Labor Movement. This day is dedicated to those that struggled, fought, and even died in their pursuit of social and economic achievements over wages and working conditions. For others, this day represents an epic sales weekend much like black Friday. But for the majority of Americans, this day represents a time to BBQ and spend time with your family and friends. Take part in the holiday, make it exciting and remember what it’s all about… a day off work to rest, relax, and enjoy your loved one’s company; one of many goals, the American Labor Movement helped us secure.

From all of us at Smart Start, have a safe Labor Day weekend!