Author: Charles Frank

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month December 2004

CDC has determined that carefully planned and well-executed mass media campaigns that attain sufficient audience exposure and are implemented in conjunction with other ongoing prevention activities are effective in reducing alcohol-impaired driving. Comprehensive approaches that implement several interventions simultaneously will further reduce alcohol-impaired driving. At the same time, we are promoting life-saving tools that can keep people from driving under the influence. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for example, provides funds for States to develop new technologies that can detect and prevent drunk and drug-impaired driving.

During Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, recommit yourself to preventing the loss of life by reminding others to be sober and drug free, and use safe driving practices on the road. National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month occurs annually in the month of December, as it is the height of the holiday season. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) founder Candy Lightner challenged legislators to take drunk driving seriously. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.References to non-CDC sites on the Internet are provided as a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S.

For example, their Safe Streets and Roads for All program offers more than $800 million in grants to help cities, counties, Tribes, and other organizations plan and implement measures improve the safety of our Nation’s roadways. Crashes and fatalities from impaired driving are completely preventable, yet alcohol-impaired fatalities in the month of December hit a nearly 15-year high in 2021. The holiday season is an especially deadly time, with more than 1,000 people killed in drunk driving crashes in December 2021 alone. Driving while impaired by any substance — legal or illegal — is dangerous. Alcohol, illicit drugs, and even over-the-counter and prescription medications can impair a driver’s judgment, decrease motor coordination, and slow the reaction time necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drugs (for example, marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18 percent of motor vehicle driver deaths while drunk driving accidents account for 31 percent of all motor vehicle accidents. Additionally, thousands of drivers and passengers lose their lives each year because of drunk and drugged driving. The best way to reduce the deadly cost of impaired driving is prevention, which starts by raising awareness of its risks and consequences and by working to treat substance misuse in the first place.

We have asked the Congress for $24 billion more to fund prevention, treatment, and recovery programs across the country, especially in underserved communities. We are also asking the Congress for $18 billion to reduce the supply of illicit substances entering our country to help keep communities safe. And we are working to help end the stigma around addiction so more people feel free to seek the help they need. Every year, thousands of lives are needlessly lost on our Nation’s roadways because of alcohol — and drug-impaired driving.

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month dates

It takes one hour to get rid of one drink from your body (one drink is equal to a 12-ounce beer, 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1½-ounce shot of liquor). • Set limits beforehand of the number of drinks to have and stick with it.

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month and since the holiday season has a higher accident rate than others on average, it is important to echo the message of consciousness of being in a proper state behind the wheel. According to the National Safety Council, over 40,000 people died in alcohol-related traffic accidents last year. During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we recommit to stopping avoidable traffic deaths and keeping America’s roadways safe by driving sober, raising awareness, helping each other get home, and supporting fellow Americans who are struggling with substance use.

1. National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month occurs annually in the month of December, as it is the height of the holiday season.
2. Driving impaired by any substance – alcohol or other drugs, whether the substance is legal or illegal – is against the law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
3. Far too many passengers and pedestrians see their lives destroyed by someone else’s bad decision, and far too many law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to keep impaired drivers off our roads.
4. The holiday season is the time of the year when drunk and impaired driving accidents are most prevalent.

We keep track of fun holidays and special moments on the cultural calendar — giving you exciting activities, deals, local events, brand promotions, and other exciting ways to celebrate. Besides blood and urine tests, the other most used method are Field Sobriety Tests, which are cognitive and balance tasks law enforcement uses to determine a person’s well-being. Walking in a straight line or saying the alphabet backwards are an example of field sobriety tests.

History of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

My Administration is building our capacity to end impaired driving by supporting innovative strategies that reduce impaired driving-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities while safeguarding against bias and ensuring racial equity. To identify and support people with substance use disorders, we are increasing impaired driving risk screening, supporting evidence-based prevention programs, and providing access to evidence-based treatment and recovery support services. My Administration is also raising awareness about the effects of impairment on driving ability through the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different national media campaigns. During this holiday season especially, let us remember all those we have lost to impaired driving and take simple steps to save lives. I encourage every American to plan ahead how you will get home after drinking and to be sure that if you have used any substance you never get behind the wheel. And whenever you see loved ones or colleagues putting themselves or others at risk, step up to offer a hand.

These are avoidable tragedies that leave deep holes in our Nation’s families and communities. During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we reaffirm our commitment to preventing impaired driving. We remember the victims and honor their memory by making the responsible decision to drive sober and ensure that others do the same. Each December, we go out for fun, parties and drinks with family and friends. But we ask you to stop and think for a second about being responsible.

Facts About Drunk Driving

Over 10,000 American lives are lost to drunk and drug-impaired driving each year, accounting for nearly a third of all traffic deaths. In 2019, some 11 percent of Americans drove under the influence, including a staggering 19.6 percent of people aged — and that number has only grown since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Far too many families are left getting that gut-wrenching phone call after an accident — their worlds changed forever. Far too many passengers and pedestrians see their lives destroyed by someone else’s bad decision, and far too many law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to keep impaired drivers off our roads.

It also requires all new passenger motor vehicles to be equipped with crash-averting features, like automatic emergency braking and collision warnings. The Department of Transportation is also partnering with State and local agencies and non-profits to educate the public through its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different media campaigns. Driving impaired by any substance – alcohol or other drugs, whether the substance is legal or illegal – is against the law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month related holidays

My Administration is advancing new tools that can help prevent driving under the influence and improve road safety. Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests in technologies that can detect and prevent impaired driving, and it requires all new passenger cars to include features like collision warnings and automatic emergency braking, which can help to avoid accidents. The Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy works to eliminate traffic deaths and make crashes less destructive.

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month — December 2004

This holiday season, too many American families will have an empty seat at their table after losing a loved one in a drunk or drug-impaired driving accident. More than 10,000 Americans die every year in these preventable crashes. During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we call on everyone to help save a life by planning ahead, calling for a ride, only driving when sober, and helping friends and loved ones do the same every time. Nearly a third of deadly car wrecks in America involve alcohol, and some 26 million people drove under the influence in 2020, endangering themselves, passengers and passersby, and the law enforcement officers who work to keep our roads safe. The holiday season is the time of the year when drunk and impaired driving accidents are most prevalent. Drug and alcohol use impair judgment, delay reaction times, and can result in deadly consequences when driving.

The Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that NHTSA is announcing today helps fulfill a requirement in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and supports the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy. Drink responsibly, drive responsibly and encourage family members, friends and co-workers to be safe and responsible drivers for the holidays and beyond. Use other means of transportation such as a taxi, public transportation or driver who is sober. December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Over 10,000 American lives are lost to drunk and drug-impaired driving each year, accounting for nearly a third of all traffic deaths. In 2019, some 11 percent of Americans drove under the influence, including a staggering 19.6 percent of people aged 21–25—and that number has only grown since the COVID–19 pandemic began. Far too many families are left getting that gut-wrenching phone call after an accident—their worlds changed forever. Far too many passengers and pedestrians see their lives destroyed by someone else’s bad decision, and far too many law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to keep impaired drivers off our roads. We owe it to them all to do everything we can to prevent future tragedies. That starts by working to reduce substance use disorders, raising awareness of the dangers of impaired driving; and investing in technologies that can help prevent crashes, injuries, and deaths.