The other, day here at MADD, we had a document from our HR department telling us how to wash our hands in order to prevent spreading of the H1N1 virus. 
All during the summer, I have heard about the West Nile virus and the need to wear long sleeves, use bug repellant, and to see a doctor if certain symptoms appear.
And who out there hasn’t heard about a spinach contamination or peanut butter contamination?
As I was interviewed today by a student working on a college paper for a public health class all of these items were brought up. No doubt there is a lot of concern for public safety.http://www.cdc.gov/
Where there is concern for public safety there is concern for impaired driving. Just for a moment take time to contemplate the risk that we take daily when we make the choice to drive. Driving is probably one of the most dangerous daily tasks we undertake on a routine basis.
In our state, 1 person dies every 5 days because someone made the choice to get behind the wheel of a 2,000 pound bullet over the legal blood alcohol limit and aim it at an innocent driver.
We can prepare by buckling up, we can prepare by not letting our friends get distracted while driving us, we can prepare by making sure we don’t ever ride with a drinking driver and that we always designate a sober driver.
The student interviewing me kept asking why do you think drunk driving takes place, what do think we need to do to stop it? I stated if we only reacted to drunk driving in the manner we react to H1N1 then we would certainly gain ground on preventing drunk driving injuries and deaths – prevention. Drunk driving is 100% preventable. We have the cure! Now it is up to all of us to set the example. Sneeze into your shoulder, wash your hands, use bug repellent and never drink & drive.
Simera Reynolds, M.Ed.
MADD Nebraska 