December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

Dear Constituents:

It is December, and the Holidays are upon us yet again. While the end of the year is a festive time, full of celebration and cheer, it is still necessary for everyone to remain alert, especially as people travel near and far to celebrate the holidays with loved ones. For this reason, the month of December has been designated as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.

Every day, people put themselves and other motorists in danger on roadways when they drive after consuming alcohol or after using legal and illegal drugs. During this holiday season, we should all be observant, in an effort to protect our families, friends, and neighbors from drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In 2010, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes - one every 51 minutes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives. While the above statistics are both sobering and concerning, rest assured that there are steps both you and your family can take to ensure safety on the road.

Planning ahead and selecting a designated driver before you travel is a smart solution to avoiding potentially fatal accidents due to alcohol or drug consumption. Moreover, if you are with someone who is impaired due to alcohol or drug usage, be a friend, and take the keys away from them.

For more information, please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Impaired