Holidays are a deadly time for impaired driving

Weekends and holidays are dangerous times on our roadways. Two of the most celebrated days of the year, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve also are among the most deadly. That's why December has been recognized as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Taking personal responsibility for a safe ride saves lives.

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is a time to educate the public about the dangers of impaired driving and to encourage responsible behavior on the roads. Some concerning information as well as points about educational initiatives/activities follows:

• Impaired driving statistics: Every year, thousands of Americans are injured or killed by reckless drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Impaired driving tragically claims an American every 42 minutes.

• Awareness campaigns: The Office of National Drug Control Policy is taking action to address and prevent substance use disorders and disrupt the criminal networks that fuel them.

• Public education: The National Library of Medicine provides resources and information on the state of science and knowledge gaps related to impaired driving.

• Community involvement: Individuals, families, and local groups are encouraged to share safety messages, support responsible celebrations, and protect each other.

• Partnerships: Collaborations between organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the American Automobile Association (AAA) & Waymo are working to prevent impaired driving during the holidays.

These efforts aim to raise awareness, promote responsible behavior, and ultimately reduce the number of impaired driving incidents on the road.

Rededicate yourself during National Impaired Driving Prevention Month by driving only when you're sober, looking out for the safety of your loved ones, or avoiding the consumption of alcohol or drugs altogether. You can also raise awareness of the dangers on social media.

Some ways to get involved follow:

Drive responsibly

Lead by example and make sure that you always drive fully sober and under no drug influence. If you use these substances, plan in advance to have an acquaintance drive you home, use a cab, or take advantage of the many ride-sharing apps available nationwide, such as Uber, Lyft, or inDrive.

Look out for others

Be a designated sober driver for your friends and family when going to events involving alcohol or other drive-impairing substances. You can also help them choose other safe ways to get home if you cannot drive them. And don't forget to use social media to share tips about the importance of driving sober.

Avoid the substances

Have a lively, non-alcoholic party with delicious mocktails and fun games, or plan other activities that don't involve impairing substances: go to a cinema, hike, take a bike ride or discover a new restaurant.

Actions to combat the problem

Addressing the problem of impaired driving takes the collective and collaborative efforts of a host of partners including governments, NGO's, survivors, community action groups, medical professionals, etc. It further requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach of proven countermeasures that attack all of the conditions that contribute to impairment.

For example, passing competent laws that seek to combat the problem of impaired driving is undermined if judges allow violators to escape accountability by imposing minor penalties. Failing to prioritize traffic enforcement activities within police budgets allows chronic offenders to escape interdiction since the likelihood of apprehension is low.

The National Safety Council (NSC) advocates a holistic, comprehensive program that uses research and evidence to identify the scope and extent of impairment problems and recommends approaches that are most likely to be effective. Existing laws may be adequate but other companion activities may be ineffective or missing altogether.

Final thought

Focus on the importance of responsibility for yourself (and others) as we move along into the holiday season. You just might save your life and that of others by taking proactive actions.

Additional information/resources

Check out the following link: The Most Important Information about National Impaired Prevention Month at the Impactful Ninja site at impactful.ninja

Access the insightful blog by AFMC, 12 Tips to Prevent Drunk Driving at afmc.org

Recommendations and research from the National Safety Council on companion activities that support existing laws as well as additional information are available at their website where the following resource can be read, Position/Policy Statement on Drug and Alcohol Impaired Driving.

Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 35 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University. He can be reached at marqos69@hotmail.com

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month