Police and D.C. Department of works officials spent the day trying to fish a car out of a giant hole in Northeast. In Rockville, a car plowed into a Mexican restaurant. Even the car wash is not safe: An employee suffered a seizure while behind the wheel, accidentally striking and injuring two of his carwashing coworkers at 13th and O Streets NW.

An odd day even for the relatively bad drivers of the District Of. Does that mean the city can look forward to Beyond Thunderdome levels of vehicular violence tomorrow night?

Surveys say: maybe not. According to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, the Washington area experienced a decline in alcohol- and drug-related traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities from 2006 to 2007. The percentage of annual traffic fatalities that can be attributed to driving under the influence was 12% lower than the national average (33% compared to 45%). WRAP stresses the impact of local sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols as the primary factor in the decline. (Statistics were not available for mysterious giant car-sized holes in the road.)

Fewer drunk-driving deaths is still too many drunk-driving deaths, so consider filing away the number to WRAP’s SoberRide program, which provides free cab service to any and all who call. In the past it has occurred to me, specifically while bicycling after a few beers, that I should commit this number to memory. But does it work? Any of you have experience with the drunk-cab option?

Photo by army.arch