It’s National Impaired Driving Prevention Month! This campaign, started in 1992, raises awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or distractions. December is particularly risky, with impaired driving accidents peaking during the holidays. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that an average of 300 people die annually in drunk driving crashes between Christmas and New Year’s alone.

The issue doesn’t stop at alcohol. Combining substances like alcohol and marijuana doubles the impairment, affecting cognitive, perceptual, and motor functions. Adding to the problem is the growing prevalence of distracted driving, such as texting while driving, which is now a leading cause of accidents.

What Can You Do to Stay Safe?

#1 Drive Safely This Holiday Season

  • Plan ahead: Arrange a ride if you’ll be drinking.
  • Stay focused: Keep your phone out of reach to avoid distractions.
  • Speak up: Talk to friends and family about the dangers of impaired driving.

#2 Use Ride Share Programs or Driving Services

  • Encourage ride-sharing to avoid risky decisions.
  • Look for holiday discounts on ride services.

#3 Help Individuals Learn Safe Driving Habits

  • If you work with students or clients facing alcohol or drug violations, recommend intervention courses like Under the Influence, Other Drugs, or THC 101.
  • These evidence-based courses teach the risks of impaired driving and provide strategies to avoid dangerous situations through personalized feedback and motivational interviewing.

This year, let’s not wreck the holidays with impaired driving.

Learn more about our online intervention and prevention education courses or call us at (888) 810-7990.

References:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “Drunk Driving.” Accessed November 2024. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among Drivers.” Accessed November 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/
National Safety Council (NSC). “Distracted Driving.” Updated March 2024. https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/distracted-driving
MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). “Impaired Driving Statistics.” Accessed November 2024. https://www.madd.org/statistics/
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “The Impact of Marijuana and Alcohol on Driving Performance.” Published July 2024. https://www.aaa.com/