PLAINVILLE-SOUTHINGTON
REGIONAL HEALTH DISTRICT
Main Office
Satellite Office
196 NORTH MAIN STREET
ONE CENTRAL SQUARE
SOUTHINGTON, CT 06489
PLAINVILLE, CT 06062
860-276-6275 FAX 860-276-6277 pshd.org
SHANE LOCKWOOD, M.P.H., R.S.
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 19, 2015
CONTACT: SHANE LOCKWOOD, 860-276-6275
Drinking and Driving: A Public Health Concern
Tis the season to celebrate! It is time for outside fun and festivities, such as proms,
graduations, and barbecues. The Plainville Southington Health District (PSHD)
stresses the importance of being responsible while celebrating, especially when behind
the wheel.
Alcohol impairs your ability to drive. In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in alcoholimpaired driving crashes, an average of one alcohol-impaired driving fatality occurred
every 52 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA). These alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total
motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States.
“Don’t drink and drive,” said Shane Lockwood, PSHD Director of Health. “Not only is it
the law, but consuming alcohol is also a public health concern.”
Alcohol use also contributes to deaths from liver disease and certain cancers. It has
been associated with injuries from falls, drownings, burns and domestic violence. It
enhances risky sexual behaviors, which can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually
transmitted diseases, including HIV. It plays a significant role in the social and medical
problems in the United States.
Lockwood said, “Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption will help to reduce the
number of traffic accidents and fatalities each year. It will help to cut down on medical
costs by improving the overall health of our community and our nation.”
By not drinking too much you can reduce the incidence of short and long term risks
such as:

Heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems

Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon and breast

Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety

Social problems, including lost productivity, family problems, and unemployment
For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at
www.cdc.gov.
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The mission of the Plainville Southington Health District is to preserve, protect, promote,
and improve the quality of life in a healthy environment through the prevention of
disease, ongoing health education opportunities and the enhancement of the well-being
of its residents.