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Drunk Walking: New Year's Deadliest Day for Pedestrians

Drinking and driving is a much-publicized, dangerous combination, but is walking after drinking any safer?

"No, alcohol impairs your physical ability, period," says trauma surgeon Thomas Esposito, MD, at Loyola University Health System.

"Every movement ranging from driving a car to simply walking to the bathroom is compromised," Esposito says. "Alcohol impairs your judgment, reflexes and coordination. Alcohol is nothing more than a socially acceptable, over-the-counter stimulant/depressant and, especially during the holidays, alcohol is frequently abused."

A trauma surgeon for more than 25 years, Esposito has witnessed the tragic aftermath of drunken walking in his own work many times. "From July 2009 to June 2010, 105 people were treated at Loyola after being struck by cars. Fifty-five had their blood alcohol content checked. Of those, 16 individuals, or 29%, were found to have had some level of alcohol in their system,” says Esposito, who is chief of the division of trauma, surgical critical care and burns in the department of surgery at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. “13 individuals, or 24%, had blood-alcohol concentrations at or above 0.08%, the accepted level for intoxication.”

In 2005, the journal Injury Prevention reported that New Year's Day is more deadly for pedestrians than any other day of the year. From 1986 to 2002, 410 pedestrians were killed on New Year's Day. Fifty-eight percent of those killed had high blood-alcohol concentrations.

Alcohol also plays a significant role in the deaths of pedestrians throughout the year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In 2008, 38% of fatally injured pedestrians 16 and older had blood-alcohol concentrations at or above 0.08%, which is the legal definition for impaired driving in Illinois. The percentage rose to 53% for deaths occurring during 9 pm - 6 am. Fourteen percent of pedestrian deaths involved drivers with blood alcohol content at or above 0.08%.

"If they had been driving and were stopped by police, they would have been arrested for driving under the influence," Esposito says.

He added that those statistics don't take into account the people who suffer injuries in their homes from unintentional causes and violence after drinking.

"It's not just walking outside. We often see people who have been drinking that have fallen down the stairs or tripped at home and injured themselves. Others have unwisely chosen to 'get into it' with guns, knives, bottles, and fists," Esposito says.

If you drink and plan to walk on New Year's Eve, or any other day of the year, you have to take special care, Esposito says.

• Like Rudolph, Be a Beacon of Light. "If planning on walking at night, don't wear dark clothing that can make it difficult for drivers to see you."

• Stay Out of the Road. "Walk solely on the sidewalks and cross at designated crosswalks."

• Enforce the Buddy System. "It's a good idea to walk in a group, which is easier for drivers to spot, and try to walk with at least one person who has not been drinking, a designated chaperone or escort."

• Give Pedestrians a Brake. "Drivers need to take extra care when in restaurant or bar districts, since intoxicated pedestrians have slower reflexes and can be unpredictable."

• Be A Good Host. "People hosting parties in which alcohol is consumed have as much of obligation to watch over their guests who are walking home as they do with those who may be driving."

Source: Loyola University Health Syste