As the holiday season kicks into high gear, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is reminding Americans to prioritize safety during National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Drunk driving deaths have increased 33% since 2019, and December is one of the most dangerous months for impaired driving crashes.
Holiday Celebrations, Winter Weather, and Impaired Driving Create Risky Conditions
Impaired driving crashes surge in December due to holiday festivities, travel, and winter weather, making it one of the most hazardous months on the road. Drunk driving claimed 4,759 lives during the December months of 2018-2022, according to NHTSA. In 2022, 1,210 people died in alcohol-related crashes in December alone.
MADD’s Holiday Safety Tips During Impaired Driving Prevention Month:
MADD is calling on everyone to be aware of impaired driving during Impaired Driving Prevention Month in December — as millions travel to gather with families over the holiday.
- Plan Ahead and Never Drive Impaired: If you plan to drink during the holiday season, make a plan and do not get behind the wheel of a car or any recreational vehicle. When you are deciding where to celebrate, plan ahead and decide how you will arrive home, whether that’s by choosing a rideshare, designating a sober driver, or using public transportation.
- Be a Responsible Host: If you’re hosting a party this December, MADD encourages hosts to play an active role in keeping everyone safe. By helping guests plan a safe way home or offering them a place to stay, hosts can significantly reduce the risk of impaired driving crashes and make this holiday season safer for all.
- If You Must Drive, Be Vigilant: Sober designated drivers should be extra alert on the roads, as more impaired drivers will be behind the wheel. Ensure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt, stick to the speed limit, and drive cautiously.
- Talk to Your Kids About Underage Drinking and Impaired Driving: Parents should have open and honest conversations with their children about the importance of making safe choices. MADD’s evidence-based Power of Parents Handbook is a proven resource for parents, offering strategies to safeguard their children to prevent underage drinking and ultimately impaired driving.
- Report Impaired Drivers Immediately: If you see a suspected impaired driver, alert law enforcement right away. With children and pedestrians flooding the streets, there’s no margin for error.
