CREATIVE VISIONS JOINS FORCES TO PROMOTE TRAFFIC SAFETY THROUGH HOLIDAY CARDS

Reminder to Keep the Party Off the Road – Don’t Drink and Drive

[Des Moines, IA December 6, 2011]— Creative Visions, along with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, want to remind you to “Keep the party off the road.” As you celebrate the holiday season enjoying traditions, food, family and fun, be reminded each year over 11,000 people die on the road as a result of a drunk driver. That is why law enforcement will be out in force this holiday season to arrest anyone caught driving drunk behind the wheel.

“The message is simple, Don’t Drink and Drive and Don’t Let Others Drink and Drive. Drinking alcohol and driving do not mix. Even one drink too many increases the risk of a crash.   If you plan to consume alcohol, you should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle or ride a motorcycle,” said Ako Abdul- Samad, CEO of Creative Visions.

To help get an enforcement message out to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Creative Visions has elicited the support of local business to help distribute holiday greeting cards warning drivers of the danger of drunk driving and the special enforcement efforts of local authorities. Traffic Safety Holiday Greeting Cards are being handed out at the following community businesses: Hy-Vee Spirits on MLK and 42^nd St; Ingersoll Spirits; and Jasper Winery.

If you are a business and would like to participate, please contact LaVon Stennis Williams at (515) 244-4003 or lavon.stennis-williams@creativevisionsia.org.  For more information on Creative Vision’s traffic safety efforts, please visit www.creativevisionsia.org.

Creative Visions recommends these simple tips for a safe holiday season:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;
• Remember, Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over. If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take that person’s keys and help him or her make other arrangements to get home safely.

Creative Visions will kick off the holiday season by hosting two traffic safety workshops geared toward young and adult drivers. 

The first workshop Just Drive, which will be held Tuesday December 13 at 5:00 P.M. at Creative Visions 1343 13^th St. is developed for young drivers to make them aware of the dangers of distracted driving and what they can do as drivers and passengers to help prevent driving collisions as a result of driving while distracted.

The second workshop Buzzed Driving is geared for adult drivers and will focus on drunk driving. During the holiday season, many adults celebrate and enjoy themselves with a couple of drinks, but even one too many drinks increases their chances of crashing while driving  motor vehicles. The second workshop will be held on Wednesday December 14 at 5:30 P.M.at Creative Visions.    

Both workshops are being presented by Creative Visions and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, please contact LaVon Stennis Williams at lavon.stennis-williams@creativevisionsia.org