December: National Impaired Driving Month
In the United States, about 32 people die from drunk driving crashes daily, averaging approximately one person every 45 minutes (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, 2022). In 2020, more than 11,000 people died from alcohol-impaired driving, which tends to get exceedingly terrible during the holiday season. For example, in 2019, the NHTSA reported approximately 210 lives were lost due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Even if you do not crash, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal. While under the influence, a person's brain function, reasoning, and muscle coordination decrease, which are all essential for driving safely. Sometimes the alcohol you drink may take longer than usual to wear off, and if it shows no effect on you before you start driving, it can affect you as you drive to your final destination. The consequences of driving impaired are getting fined or possibly jail time.
Impaired driving incidents are preventive. If you are going to be driving, do not engage in any substance use, and if you do, make sure a sober close friend can drive you home or call a car-riding service (e.g., Uber, taxi, Lyft).
So let's be mindful to ensure the holidays are full of joy.
Source Citation:
