As another New Year’s Eve celebration approaches, it’s important to remember that irresponsible driving can lead to tragedy. December has been named National Impaired Driving Prevention Month to combat the staggering percentage of traffic fatalities involving drunk, drugged or distracted driving during the holidays.
This awareness campaign provides a great reminder for drivers to think responsibly before getting behind the wheel this season. During Christmas and New Year’s holidays, two to three times more people die in alcohol-related crashes than during the rest of the year, according to an article by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Combined with hazardous winter road conditions, holiday travel can be a potentially life-threatening task.
Reckless driving on New Year’s Eve not only involves drunk and drugged driving, but also distracted driving. Drivers put themselves and others at risk for auto accidents when their attention is taken away from the road to do anything else, even just for a moment.
To keep a New Year’s celebration from turning into a deadly auto accident, everyone should make safe travel plans in advance and stick to them. Responsible decision making getting in the car is crucial, and all drivers should avoid any kind of distraction when behind the wheel to prevent car crashes.