Published on Friday, December 23, 2005
in the Bradenton Herald

Holidays are time to be extra aware on the roadways

MANATEE - As families and friends head out to holiday parties or on roadtrips to visit relatives this weekend, they won't want to forget the gifts - and their seat belts.

"To me, it's important to be cautious all the time, but during the holidays people are preoccupied," said Christine Tozzo, treasurer of the Manasota Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

About 1,000 people died in alcohol-related vehicle crashes on Florida's roads last year, according to a press release from the Florida Department of Transportation. Many of them occurred during high-traffic holidays.

Chip Monts, coordinator of You Drink and Drive: You Lose, said it is important that drivers be extra cautious while on the roads during the holidays.

"When the roads are crowded, you have to pay even closer attention to your surroundings," he said. "Just because you haven't been drinking, doesn't mean that another driver hasn't."

Lt. Darren Sapp, of Florida Highway Patrol Troop F, shared similar thoughts and said drivers should always wear their seat belts and keep an eye out for pedestrians.

A father and daughter from Bradenton were hit by a car Tuesday night as they stood gazing at a display of holiday lights on the shoulder of Proctor Road in Sarasota.

Aaron Corbit, 25, was treated at Doctor's Hospital in Sarasota County on Tuesday night. His daughter Gisella, 7, was flown to Tampa General Hospital with a broken hip and femur.

Tampa General officials said Thursday afternoon that Gisella was in fair condition.

Authorities said Christopher T. Terrill, 28 of Sarasota was driving the 1988 Pontiac that hit Gisella and her father. He was arrested and faces two felony hit-and-run charges and a drunk driving charge.

"There are so many other ways to party and celebrate the holidays," Tozzo said of people drinking on the holidays. "If only people would just stop and think before they take that first drink."

Tozzo said party hosts are just as responsible for what happens on the roads as drivers.

She said people hosting parties should take keys from their guests and make sure no one gets behind the wheel intoxicated.

"Even if they're going to walk home, or ride a bike home, you need to stop them," Tozzo said.

Sapp said it is also important that people leaving town for the holidays let someone at their destinations know "when to expect them."

"If they are going to travel out of town, they should let people know their itinerary," Sapp said, adding that people can check traffic conditions online at www.511tampa bay.com.

He said they may also call *FHP from their cell phones in case of an emergency.

"Wear you seat belts, make sure children are safely in their seats - don't drink and drive," Sapp said.