December is the month when many people are busy celebrating with family and friends. December is also National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, and the holiday season makes it the perfect time to raise awareness of the consequences of the serious issue of impaired driving.
Busy Month On The Roads Means Increased Risk Of Accidents
This month there will be more traffic on the roads due to holiday travelers. They may be headed to spend time with parents, siblings, grown children or even their spouse or partner if they have been away from home due to work or military deployment.
Shopping, family events and parties to attend during this busy month mean individuals and families will be spending more of their free time than usual driving from place to place. The more time they spend on the road, the higher the risk of being involved in an accident.
Drinking And Driving Still A Major Problem
Even though you and your family members may be diligent about your personal habits, other drivers may not be as careful. Unfortunately, far too many people think that they are “all right to drive” when the truth is that they are impaired.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 30 people die in motor vehicle accidents involving an alcohol-impaired driver every day. In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in accidents in which alcohol was a factor. This figure accounted for 31 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in the US.
Drugs Other Than Alcohol A Factor In Crashes
Alcohol is not the only drug that can lead to impaired driving. The CDC also reports that marijuana and cocaine are involved in approximately 18 percent of “motor vehicle driver deaths.”
How To Prevent Deaths And Injuries From Drunk And Drugged Driving
Here are some tips to help you lower the risk of becoming a statistic.
- Make a plan before you go out for a safe ride home. Take a cab, use public transportation, designate a sober driver, call a friend or a family member to pick you up.
- If you are attending a party at someone’s home, stay over so that you are not driving.
- Do not get into a car with someone you know has been drinking. Take steps to make sure that person doesn’t get behind the wheel, either. Offer to call them a cab, let them stay over, and take their keys if necessary.
Find Help For Drug Or Alcohol Abuse
If you or a loved one needs help for a drug or alcohol abuse problem, don’t wait until the New Year to start considering your treatment options. The Dunes East Hampton is a private luxury treatment center offering individualized care.
Call us today to find out what we have to offer yourself or a loved one. Healing begins with a simple call.
Read More – Buzzed Driving vs. Drunk Driving – Does It Make A Difference?
