Surviving the Holidays
December is for Secret Santas, holiday parties and kissing under the mistletoe. What you may not know is that December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness of the consequences of driving under the influence. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 40 percent of car accident fatalities during the Christmas and New Year periods involve at least one drunk driver. In addition to drunk drivers causing deaths, you also have drugged drivers on the roads. There has been an increase in drugged driving. California’s Office of Traffic Safety reported that 14 percent of impaired drivers tested positive for drugs and approximately 7.5 percent of the same group tested positive for alcohol. People are drinking and doing drugs and then hitting the roadways for some holiday cheer. You need to be warned before you decide to get behind the wheel after holiday boozing and drugging. In cities around the country, police officers will be patrolling the streets and setting up DUI checkpoints. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over initiative is making the effort to reduce fatalities due to impaired driving. They are urging drivers to make smart decisions. The two main tips for the holiday season are:
- Plan ahead for safety.
- Watch out for one another.
This is a time where you need to be accountable for your behavior. Your safety and the safety of others depend on it. What are you doing to stay safe this holiday season? Share your thoughts below or on Stepping Stone Center’s Facebook page. Let’s help each other out to make sure we are all prepared and safe.
