National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is observed in December. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness about the consequences of driving under the influence. This can be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The month of December is one of the busiest on the nation’s roadways. In addition, it is also one of the most dangerous. This is due to a high incidence of alcohol and drug-related traffic crashes. Designate a sober driver before celebrations begin. To recognize National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, wear a Road awareness pin in a personalized or non-personalized version. Or, wear a red pin, red fabric ribbon or red silicone wristband bracelet for substance use and abuse.

Wear a Road Awareness Pin or Red Pin, Ribbon or Wristband for National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

December. As individuals, we look forward to getting together with friends and family to celebrate the holidays. It’s also a time when prevention can play an especially important role. December is a deadly month for impaired driving.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2019 during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, 210 lives were lost due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes. That’s 210 people in one week. These are people who didn’t make it home. This is because either they or someone with whom they came in contact chose to use alcohol. And, then, get behind the wheel. That same year, more than 10,000 people died from drunk driving crashes alone.

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month Stresses Preventable Deaths

These deaths were preventable. That’s why for more than 40 years, people across the country have observed National Impaired Driving Prevention Month in December. This observance helps to raise awareness that impaired driving can be deadly. And it can help to put strategies in place for all of us to make it home safely.

More and more, celebrations are added to the calendar in December. It could be an intimate dinner at a friend’s house. Or, perhaps a happy hour to celebrate a return to the office. It can even be a gathering of high school friends home from college. In each instance, alcohol and other substances may not be necessarily at the center of the fun. But are a common denominator.

Alcohol-impaired driving crashes, which range from being under the influence of substances to distracted driving to speeding, increase throughout December. This is because more people travel. SAMHSA’s 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed over 26 million people ages 16 or older drove under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs during the past year. Approximately 17 percent of these people were 20 to 25 years old.

Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving Campaign

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and nonfatal injury among U.S. adolescents. This results in approximately 2,500 deaths and 300,000 nonfatal injuries each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While NHTSA’s “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving” campaign addresses driving under the influence of just alcohol, it’s important to note that many substances can impair driving. These include marijuana, opioids, methamphetamines, or even prescribed or over-the-counter medications.

Prevention Works

The good news is that prevention works. As we come together during the holiday season, educate yourself and others on the risks of driving while impaired and take steps to stay safe.

We can start with the science. There are no shortcuts to “sobering up” and preparing to drive. This is because a person’s coordination and reaction time are slowed long before they actually show signs of intoxication. Coffee is not a cure-all. And even slowing or stopping drinking an hour or more before planning to drive does not mean the alcohol has “worn off.”

Communicate Honestly with Children, Friends, Family Members and Colleagues

We can have conversations ahead of time so there aren’t those awkward “in the moment” exchanges. Communicate honestly with your children, friends, family members, and colleagues about expectations of behavior and safe choices when attending holiday events, whether they take place in someone’s home (where some can perceive the rules are a bit more flexible) or at a public venue. In addition, encourage ride-sharing services for gatherings where alcohol will be served and check-in with guests if you’re hosting to see if they need a ride. With planning, you can eliminate a spontaneous decision to drive.

Educate Young People About Socializing Safely During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

Parents and caregivers may face even more pressure during the holidays, as many young people are home from school on break and eager to gather with their peers in a social setting. Help young people socialize safely by:

• Discussing the dangers of underage alcohol and substance use, especially when combined with driving, and set expectations for your child’s behavior.
• Sharing resources designed for youth that communicate the facts and consequences, like Underage Drinking: Myths vs. Facts and the Tips for Teens series.
• Setting curfews if youth go to a party and offering to drive them or pick them up. Even if your teen abstains from alcohol, he or she may have a hard time saying “no thanks” to a peer driver who is drinking.
• Coordinating with their friends’ parents about driving plans, as well as maintaining substance-free environments at parties. (Most states have social host laws that prohibit hosts from serving alcohol to minors. Some parents may think it’s a safe option if it’s happening “under their roof,” but it’s still breaking the law and dangerous.

Speak Up About Making It Home Safely

During the holiday season, each of us has the power to prevent a tragedy and ensure that those we know and care about get to and from their celebrations. Speaking up about what is okay and what is not okay is a good first step, not just in relation to alcohol use, but also other substances that can compromise our ability to make it home safely.