Safe on The Roads—Drunk Driving Rises During Holidays

Christmas driving
Photo by calvste/iStockPhoto.com
 

Drunk driving is always a risk because there are, unfortunately, always some drunk drivers on the road. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 9,000 to 10,000 deaths occur each year from drunk driving, accounting for anywhere from 25% to 30% of all traffic-related fatalities annually.

During the holidays, more people drink and drive, and there are more deaths in the Christmas and New Year week than almost all other weeks in the calendar year. It is crucial to be careful during the holidays and ensure no one around you drinks and drives.

Drunk Driving Statistics Soar During the Holidays

Every year around the holidays, incidences of drunk driving soar. Why is this? It could be a variety of reasons. An upsurge in holiday parties, dinners with family, and more social events where alcohol consumption is likely to occur. The holidays can also be difficult for some, which may lend itself to alcohol misuse and intoxicated driving shortly after.

While the impetus behind drinking and driving during the holidays is undoubtedly unique, person to person, there is no denying that there are more drunk drivers on the road during the holidays than almost any other time of year.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2018 saw 285 drunk-driving related fatalities during the holidays. Total, about 10,511 people died from drunk driving that year, an average of 192 deaths per week. But in the Christmas and New Year week, 285 deaths occurred from drunk driving.

From 2012 to 2016, 3,995 people died in December in alcohol-related driving accidents. These deaths are entirely preventable, yet they comprised close to one-third of all traffic fatalities for that month.

Additional Risk from Snow and Ice-Covered Roads

Icy highway

According to the United States Department of Transportation, over 70% of the nation’s roads are located in snow regions. A “snow region” is defined as an area that receives more than five inches of snow per year. Almost 70% of the U.S. population lives in this region. Not only does snow and ice reduce tire traction and pavement friction, but snow and ice also reduce visibility and create a physical barrier on the road that hampers the safe operation of an automobile.

Each year in the United States, 24 percent of weather-related crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement. An additional 15 percent of such accidents occur during snowfall or sleet which totals over 2,000 Americans who die in car crashes in these conditions.

Between slippery roads, reduced visibility, and physical accumulation of packed snow, roads become much more dangerous during the winter months. When a driver further compounds those factors by drinking and driving, risk soars, as does the likelihood of a severe accident.

Staying Safe on the Road During the Holidays

Motorists should always be careful no matter the time of year. But during the holidays, extra care should be taken. Those who travel by car should allow additional time to get to their destination and use extra caution when driving at night. Motorists should also be on the lookout for erratic or unusual driving behavior and they should report such behavior if they witness it.

If You Know Someone Who Drinks and Drives…

Taking away keys
Photo by SDI Productions/iStockPhoto.com
 

If you know someone who drinks alcohol and then drives, please do everything you can to get them into a drug and alcohol treatment center. Even if your loved one thinks they do not have a problem with alcohol, drinking and driving is a severe problem, all by itself. Furthermore, intoxicated driving is indicative of an equally serious problem, i.e., alcohol addiction.

When someone drinks to excess, they don’t just hurt themselves; they harm everyone around them. They harm their family members, loved ones, and friends. And when they get behind the wheel of a car, they put their own life at risk and the lives of others on the road. Remember, close to 10,000 people die in drunk driving accidents every year, but a significant percentage of that number are innocent motorists and their passengers who were not drinking. That’s why it’s so crucial that you step in and intervene if you know someone who drinks to excess.



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AUTHOR

Ren

After working in addiction treatment for several years, Ren now travels the country, studying drug trends and writing about addiction in our society. Ren is focused on using his skill as an author and counselor to promote recovery and effective solutions to the drug crisis. Connect with Ren on LinkedIn.

NARCONON ARROWHEAD

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION