Safety tips to make another year count

Winter Driving and Pedestrian Safety

• Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks if you are a driver.
• Stop, look both ways, and enter the crosswalk only when safe, if you are a pedestrian.
• Start stopping sooner - roads may be icy and it may take longer for a car to stop.
• Don't assume a car will stop for you - make sure it's stopped before you step out in front of it.
• Wear something light-colored or retro-reflective to increase your visibility to drivers; dark colored clothing may or may not keep you warmer, but it will make you harder to see.
• Stay alert and expect the unexpected; you should be surprised when someone doesn't step out in front of you, not when they do.
• Keep windows, mirrors and lights clear to increase your ability to see and be seen; snow and ice on a car's windows decreases visibility; as a pedestrian, if a car's windows aren't clear, assume the driver can't see you and stay out of harm's way.
• Always give pedestrians - especially children - right-of-way, regardless of who is right.
• Wear your safety belt and be sure children are properly secured in child safety seats.
• Don't ride in a car with someone who has been drinking - call a cab or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Stay alert and keep a safe distance from anyone driving erratically and do not try to intervene.
Holiday Party Time
• Find out how guests will be going home from your party. When they arrive, collect their car keys so when they are ready to leave, you can give them a second opinion on whether they are sober enough to drive home by themselves. Party hosts can be held legally responsible for injuries or damages that occur as a result of alcohol served, even after guests leave.
• Promote using designated drivers and encourage guests to leave their cars at home and take public transportation, cabs or walk.
• Have cash and phone numbers ready for taxi companies.
• Serve food with drinks and provide non-alcoholic beverages as an alternative.
• Serve high protein and high carbohydrate foods like cheese, meats, veggies, breads and light dips. They do not make guests as thirsty as salty, sweet or greasy foods do.
• Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party is over. Only time allows the body to rid itself of alcohol.
• Don't have an open bar. Mix and serve drinks yourself or designate a bartender.
• Don't allow the serving of doubles but keep shot glasses, jiggers or self-measuring one-ounce bottle spouts handy to measure drinks.
• Observe your guests. If you think someone has had too much to drink, try the following:
• Engage him/her in conversation to slow down drinking.
• Offer high protein food like pizza, shrimp or spare ribs.
• Offer to make the next drink using less alcohol, mixing it with a non-carbonated base or give them no alcohol at all.