As we enter the holiday season, over the next several weeks, we will spend a lot of time surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones at various gatherings and social events. During these gatherings and events, many may choose to have a few drinks and then drive home at the end of the night.
The uptick in not just parties and social gatherings this time of year, but also the propensity to drink at these events has unfortunately resulted in the month of December seeing a significant increase in the number of impaired driving incidents. In an attempt to combat this though, December has been deemed National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month in order to highlight the dangers of impaired driving. This danger exists not just for the driver, but for others on the road as well.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol remains a leading cause of preventable road fatalities. While attention should be brought to this year-round, risk can greatly increase during the holiday season and make this topic more worthy of attention than ever.
The Dangers of Impaired Driving
According to the CDC, 32 people in the United States are killed every day in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. That comes out to one death approximately every 45 minutes. Those only apply to the impaired driving incidents that turned fatal. In the year 2020 alone, over 18 million people of legal driving age said they drove under the influence of alcohol at least once, with nearly 1 million people getting arrested for a DUI or DUI-related driving incident.
While drinking and driving is certainly a major issue and one of the leading causes of road accidents, when it comes to the concept of driving impaired, it is only the tip of the iceberg.
Driving while under the influence of other substances, both legal and illegal continues to be a growing concern. This is particularly true when it comes to cannabis. As more and more states legalize cannabis and as more and more people turn to it as a perceived safer alternative to alcohol, it can still greatly impair a person’s motor skills and reaction time, two things that are critical to safe driving.
Then there are prescription medications. Some prescriptions, such as painkillers, sedatives, or even some benzodiazepines used as allergy medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) can cause drowsiness or a slowed reaction time. Driving while on these medications can be just as if not more dangerous than alcohol or other illicit substances.
Why People Drive Impaired
Why would anyone get behind the wheel of a car impaired? In many cases, the person driving may either think they are fine or have convinced themselves that they are okay to drive. This can be particularly true for users of cannabis or prescription drugs. However, even if the person looks or feels “normal,” these substances can greatly impact important things like reaction time, judgment, and decision-making. This can make driving while under the influence just as dangerous or deadly as driving while drunk.
We all know the dangers of impaired driving. Between ad campaigns, stories in the news, and even school assemblies we have been told pretty much our entire lives, “Don’t drink and drive.” Yet, impaired driving numbers continue to be on the rise throughout the United States. Even if someone isn’t falling-down drunk when they decide to drink, they can still be impaired enough to be dangerous while driving.
The Danger of Impaired Driving During the Holiday Season
During the holidays, driving can cause an extreme amount of stress. There tend to be more cars on the road in many areas due to increased rates of travel. There also tends to be an increased amount of parties and social events. Even if there are fewer people doing Christmas shopping in-person, increased mail and packages may lead to more delivery vehicles. In poor weather (or when relaxing from holiday shopping), delivery vehicles may be busy delivering food and/or supplies to people stuck at home.
In many areas, adverse weather during the winter months adds an extra element of danger. Safety features tire chains or studded tires may be too costly or time-consuming to put on during the holiday season, which increases the danger for the driver but also other people on the road. While many people feel comfortable driving in adverse winter weather, not everyone who visits a snowbound area will know how to drive safely. Add in the need to get home when the weather will only get worse (or the need to go out to get essential supplies), and it’s easy to see why someone may take a chance driving even if they’re not perfectly sober.
How to Prevent Impaired Driving
Let’s take a look at some things you can do to make sure both you and those closest to you get home safely:
Don’t Let Those You Care About Drive Impaired
Whether you are at your own house, someone else’s house, or out somewhere, if you notice that someone you know may have had one too many drinks, or may be acting in a way that would indicate they absolutely should not be driving, say something. You don’t have to be rude about it. You can simply suggest that maybe they find an alternative way home or even offer to get them a sober ride. If you are sober, you can even offer to take them home yourself.
While this may feel awkward or uncomfortable, remember that saying something helps protect the person driving but also everyone else on the road who could potentially be in danger with an impaired driver around them. Sometimes all it takes for someone not to drive home impaired is for someone else around them to say something or intervene.
Designate a Designated Driver
Lots of people like to enjoy a night out during the holiday season, whether at someone’s house or out at a bar. It’s ok to do that. If you know you are going to be going out with a group of people, have a plan in place before you go out to make sure everyone gets home safe.
One option is for one person in the group to be the designated driver for the night. When deciding who is going to be the designated driver (DD) for the night, it is important not to pressure anyone into doing it. Car services, taxis, and rideshares are available in the event that nobody wants to be a DD. The most important part is having a plan in place. Removing any temptation to drive under the influence before the night gets started can help ensure that everyone has fun and gets home safe at the end of the night.
Plan a Safe Gathering
If you may find yourself hosting an event or social gathering, it’s important to think about safe transportation for all your guests. As the host of a party or event, you want to make sure your guests arrive home safely that night or the next morning.
If you are hosting a holiday gathering, consider the following:
- Offer alcohol-free options so guests have alternatives (or can pace their drinking throughout the night)
- Avoid serving excessive amounts of alcohol, or encouraging heavy drinking games.
- Arrange for a special party-themed discount code for a rideshare service.
- If they’re comfortable with it, publicly thank the designated drivers at the party and recognize their choice with a special gift.
- Provide space for people to stay overnight should they be too impaired to drive.
Receive Support for Addiction at First Steps Recovery
This December, take the time to reflect on your choices and encourage others to do the same. By staying informed, planning ahead, and taking responsibility, it’s possible to stay safe, help the people around you stay safe, and enjoy the holiday season.
First Steps Recovery is committed to providing resources for preventing addiction to alcohol and other drugs, as well as providing support to those in recovery. We believe that it’s possible to create safer communities and reduce the devastating toll of addiction, of which impaired driving can be an indicator.
If you’d like to learn more about National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month or need support with addiction recovery, First Steps Recovery is here to help. Contact us today to learn more or to get started on the road to recovery.
You Feel Overwhelmed by Negative Emotions
Dr. Curl is the Medical Director and primary on-site provider for First Steps Recovery. He is a Board Certified Internist and Addiction Medicine Specialist having attended the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completing his residency at Mount Auburn Hospital with Harvard Medical School. Following several years work as an internist and physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation). Dr. Curl completed the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Howard University in Washington DC and participated as a RAM Scholar (Research in Addiction Medicine). While part of the fellowship, Dr. Curl pursued research investigating the barriers to expanding and improving medication for opioid use disorder. Following his fellowship, Dr. Curl spearheaded the Opiate Use Disorder outpatient clinic and worked in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences within the Howard University Hospital. In 2023, Dr. Curl completed his Board Certification in Addiction Medicine.
