CONYERS, GA— While December is full of holiday festivities and plenty of cheer flowing, it is worth considering that it is also National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. So, while we will be joining many friends enjoying our favorite beverages, let’s also make sure everyone takes necessary preventive measures to have a designated driver or utilize a driver service. Because statistics demonstrate the reality of us losing a friend, this season is real.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTS) reports that 32 people in the US die every day in drunk driving crashes—about one person every 45 minutes. In 2020, 11,645 people died in crashes – a 14% increase from 2019. Specifically for Georgia, it ranks fourth in the country for DUI fatalities behind California, Texas, and Florida.
A driver is legally impaired when their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) measures 0.08 or higher. The number of drinks it takes to reach this BAC largely depends on gender and weight, but the average is 2-3 drinks of standard pours for adults.
Additional statistics find:
• More than 230 children were killed in drunk-driving crashes last year.
• Drinking and driving cost more than $44 billion in deaths and damages annually.
• While repeat DUI offenders typically face jail time and permanent license revocation, first-time offenders can be ordered to pay more than $10,000 in fines and legal fees and can face temporary license suspension. The legal consequences are much more severe if you cause an accident while drunk and there are injuries or fatalities.
Please consider recommended strategies and suggestions:
• Talk to your kid. If you have new drivers at home, educate them on the importance of not drinking and driving as soon as they get their driver’s license. Be sure they understand the extreme consequences it can have from a legal perspective, not just getting in trouble at home.
• Spend the night. If you’re out drinking and can’t get home safely, consider spending the night in a safe place until the morning. It’s always better to sleep it off at a trusted friend’s house or nearby hotel than to risk driving home.
• Designate a Driver. If you know alcohol will be readily available, take the time to designate a driver before getting to the activity, not after it has started.
• Utilize Uber/Lyft/Cab. Before the event where alcohol will be available, go ahead and ensure the availability of cabs or load one of the driving service apps on your phone. Better yet, utilize the service to get to the event. Again, we suggest ensuring the driving service’s availability in the event area.
Again, please enjoy the holiday season, the festivities, fellowship, and your favorite beverage because this author will do the same. But, if you are going to drink and drive home afterward, make sure you know your limit and give yourself plenty of time to sober up completely before getting behind the wheel. Then, again, it will be easier to utilize a driver service. Or don’t drink—it’s not worth risking your life and others’ lives.
We wish everyone a wonderful and safe holiday season!
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT US AT [email protected].
Marchman Consulting helps communities make an impact with data analysis, grant development, implementation, and evaluation for sustainability efforts for a variety of programs. An example is the alcohol risk management (ARM) measures, such as Marchman’s award-winning RASS training program. Validation of his success, Marchman was the recipient of the Office of Victims of Crime 2022 Victims’ Rights Award presented by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on the Washington Mall. More information of his services is available at www.marchmanconsulting.com.
