HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—With Fourth of July festivities around the corner, Connecticut's Department of Transportation (DOT), Hartford Hospital and 12 trauma centers across the state are encouraging drivers to avoid having just one more drink or smoke to prevent impaired driving-related accidents and deaths.
The "Not One More" Campaign aims to reduce impaired driving accidents on the road by asking Connecticut drivers to pledge that they will say no to one more drink or smoke.
Through the campaign, trauma teams and healthcare workers will be sharing their personal stories about treating victims of impaired driving.
"These healthcare heroes, including first responders, nurses and doctors, hope to reduce impaired driving by bringing attention to how having just one more drink, one more smoke, can lead to more than you can think. More accidents, more injuries, more deaths and more lives changed forever," DOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti said.
The campaign will also involve statewide events, community programs and online resources such as information on substance abuse support.
As COVID-related safety measures wind down, medical professionals are concerned that impaired driving accidents may soon begin to increase starting this holiday weekend, Hartford HealthCare's Chief of Trauma Jonathan Gates said.
"Alcohol consumption is a part of everyday life. We get that, but we want you to enjoy it responsibly," Gates said.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal is advocating for the campaign and is hoping to help prevent impaired driving-related accidents through legislation.
A few weeks ago, Blumenthal voted for the Service Transportation Investment Act which includes a measure called the Reduced Injured Driving for Everyone Act.
The measure involves technology that can help stop impaired driving, Blumenthal explained, such as sensors that can detect impaired or distracted driving.
"So, the RIDEs Act, as it's known, would require this kind of technology in every car," he said, "but let's be realistic. It won't be in your car for a while, and that brings us back to the message... Not one more. Not one more impaired driver."
With recreational marijuana now legal in Connecticut, Blumenthal reminds drivers that the pledge also means saying no to one more smoke and avoiding driving while high.
According to Giulietti, DOT is funding the campaign with a $550,000 highway safety grant. Hartford Hospital is leading the program, with AAA, the Connecticut Hospital Association and trauma centers across all of the state's hospitals participating.
The pledge can be found at NotOneMore.org along with additional resources and information.