Civil Defense Corps director, Major General Luis Luna Paulino has confirmed that between 70 and 73% of the traffic accidents that occur during Easter Week and Christmas can be linked to alcohol abuse. Easter Week and Christmas are the peak times for domestic holiday travel. He said that more that 50% of these accidents involve motorcyclists who have been drinking.
Luna Paulino was speaking during the presentation of a campaign called “Guardian Angel” which is being launched together with the company United Brands in order to warn the public about the effects of alcohol and give advice on how to prevent accidents during Easter Week.
He confirmed that the campaign was not aimed at promoting the consumption of any particular brand of alcohol, but at convincing people not to drink and drive. He said that he hoped that the number of traffic accidents would decrease as a result of the campaign and other measures.
United Brands executive Ana Sofia Arias said that the message was that people should drink responsibly in order to reduce the number of accidents caused by drinking excess alcohol.
More than 8,000 volunteers will be working during Easter 2013, and they will be staffing 512 help centers around the country.
This year, 168 swimming spots and beaches have been closed as a precautionary measure during the holidays.
www.elcaribe.com.do/2013/03/26/mas-70-accidentes-asuetos-involucran-alcohol