09 – Impaired Driving: Make Your Plans Before the Celebration

Designated Driver

December 15, 2013 | Posted in Impaired Driving, Podcast Episodes | By

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National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

Mike Brown is the Chief of the Impaired Driving and Occupant Protection Division at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a former Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol. In his current position, he is responsible for coordinating the United State’s policy and programs concerning impaired driving prevention activities and strategies to improve occupant protection.  During this episode we discuss why December is an important month to remind everyone to not drink and drive and what is being done to prevent impaired driving across the country.

In many parts of the world, the month of December is a time to celebrate the holiday season; between Hanukkah, Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve, it is a virtual cornucopia of festivities.  For some people, these festivities mean celebrating with family and friends, which at times includes alcohol—and that is when it can get deadly.

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

On November 29th, President Obama declared December 2013 to be National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. NHTSA will be extremely active in December working with its partners everywhere, promoting the messages of ‘Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving’ and ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.’

In the United States, 760 people lost their lives from impaired driving during December of 2011, with a total of 4,169 in the December months from 2007 to 2011. While impaired driving happens all year ‘round, the holiday season is a particularly dangerous time. Because of these devastating facts, law enforcement will be out in force cracking down on impaired drivers from December 17, 2013 through January 1, 2014.

Impaired Driving from Other Drugs

grabbing keys to drive after drink

Alcohol is not the only drug that causes impaired driving. Other drugs are playing an increasingly deadly role.  From research done by NHTSA, of the drivers tested for alcohol and other drugs, nearly 16% were positive for a drug other than alcohol. This is not to say that everyone was using an illegal drug.  Prescription and over-the-counter medications were found as well.  It is essential to remember that impaired driving can also occur from medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.  That is why we must understand how any medication may impact the person taking it or interact with other medication being taken.

Make Plans Beforehand

Even one drink can impair someone’s judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for impaired driving, or worse, killing someone. That is why it is important to make plans before heading out for the evening.  Easy plans include:

  • Designating a sober driver before the party begins
  • Planning to call a taxi or using public transportation
  • Making plans to stay where you are drinking

If hosting a party, stop serving alcohol as the evening wears on, and be responsible—friends don’t let friends drive after drinking.

Check out any SoberRides in your area

Check out any SoberRides in your area

One option that more communities are developing is free cab rides home.  Called SoberRide in the Washington, DC area, the program is typically funded through sponsors and donations, and works with local cab companies to provide impaired adults (over the age of 21) cab rides home.  In many locations the ride is free.  WRAP (Washington Regional Alcohol Program) organizes the DC SoberRide program. To see a list of programs nationwide, click here.

Celebrate the Holiday Season Safely

It is the Holiday Season, a time to celebrate with family and friends. It is not a time to stop thinking.  It is not a time to drink and drive. Take the time to plan ahead.  Decide where to go with family or friends.  Choose which celebrations to attend.  Then make plans on how to get home safely.   It is the Holiday Season—a time to make plans to be safe, for one and all.

What plans have you made for a safe holiday season?  Let me know in the comments below.

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