Members of the DWI Awareness Council at this evening’s County Council meeting to accept a proclamation from Councilor Kristin Henderson denoting the Week of Dec. 4-10, 2016 as DWI Awareness Week. A variety of public outreach and educational activities are planned. To promote ‘Don’t Drink and Drive,’ the Planning Council will be using grant funds to pay for free ‘Buzz Bus’ rides Dec. 30 and 31, courtesy of Atomic City Transit. Courtesy/LACCOUNTY News:
- DWI Planning Council urges ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ during the holiday season or any time of year
The Los Alamos County Council this evening issued a proclamation declaring the Week of Dec. 4-10, 2016 as “DWI Awareness Week” in Los Alamos County. DWI Planning Council Program Coordinator Kirsten Bell accepted the proclamation on behalf of the committee.
The Los Alamos County DWI Planning Council is coordinating activities around town to raise awareness about the realities and dangers of drinking and driving. Some of the activities include presentations to the high school Driver’s Ed classes, art contest in the schools, tables at LAMS & LAHS, KRSN interview, and DWI Awareness posters around town. The County of Los Alamos had 44 DWI arrests in 2015 and over 70 so far in 2016. Diane Noveroske, Acting Chair of the DWI Planning Council, wants residents and visitors to be aware that it does happen here. “The DWI Planning Council is very concerned about the number of crashes, deaths, and injuries throughout the state. This holiday season I encourage you to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner. Take advantage of the County’s “buzz” buses when offered, designate a driver, and most importantly keep alcohol away from your kids.”
Based on feedback received from the DWI Community Survey, the Los Alamos DWI Planning Council has voted to use grant funds to pay for “Buzz” Buses on two nights over the holiday: Friday, Dec. 30 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and Saturday, Dec. 31 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Reservations will be accepted starting at 7 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29 (for both Friday and Saturday service) at 661-RIDE(7433). The DWI Planning Council is pleased to be partnering with Atomic City Transit to provide safe rides home on evenings when people are out and about at restaurants, bars, and house parties. Plan ahead and get to and from your destination safely.
If you have any questions or are interested in joining the DWI Planning Council, contact the DWI Program Coordinator, Kirsten Bell, at kirsten.bell@lacnm.us or 505.662.8241.
Proclamation:
WHEREAS: Los Alamos County is joining forces with our New Mexico DWI affiliates to support efforts to reduce DWI crashes, fatalities and the use of alcohol by residents throughout the state; and
WHEREAS: Local government leaders recognize that the support of a community is the most effective tool that can be used to reduce the use of alcohol; and
WHEREAS: over 250,000 students in grades K-12 throughout the State receive prevention education/activities about the dangers of DWI annually; and
WHEREAS: both alcohol-involved fatalities and alcohol-involved crashes in New Mexico have seen a significant decrease during the period from 1998 to present; and
WHEREAS: the overall reduction in alcohol-involved vehicle crash fatalities and serious alcohol-involved vehicle crash injuries is due in part to the dedicated work of the Local DWI Programs; and
WHEREAS: “DWI Awareness Week” will be celebrated in every county in New Mexico the week of December 4-10, 2016, and the Council wishes to support this initiative in Los Alamos County;
NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby proclaim the Week of December 4-10, 2016 as
“DWI AWARENESS WEEK”
in Los Alamos County, and encourage our citizens, businesses, hospitals, schools and university to support efforts to increase awareness and understanding of the actions that are needed to address DWI issues in our community.
