By Delanie Walker | The Tennessean
As we do with most events in Nashville, New Year’s Eve will be an extraordinary celebration with hundreds of thousands of people traveling to downtown for major concerts and parties - culminated with our very own electric guitar drop at midnight.
This year our city is even being recognized as an entertainment destination and will be part of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” program on ABC network. While this night will bring joy to many throughout our city, it will also bring sadness and grief for those who don’t celebrate responsibly and decide to drink and drive.
Our state is exceptional in many ways - unfortunately one area where we are falling behind is drinking and driving. Tennessee’s DUI fatality rate is nearly 40 percent higher than the national average.
In Nashville, the statistics are not any better where drinking and driving presents a serious public health risk to everyone in our community. Every year, hundreds of lives are senselessly lost in drinking related car crashes, and the hours just after New Year’s Eve present one of the most dangerous times for these tragedies.
Sadly, it’s an issue I know all too well. My aunt and uncle were killed by a drunk driver. I saw first-hand the effect the devastation and loss that drinking and driving can have on a family. And that’s why I’m so passionate about safe driving and why I’ve partnered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to raise awareness about this deadly problem.
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