KANSAS CITY, MO — It’s hard to have a happy holiday when you’re arrested for drunk driving. Keep the season merry and bright by following the law and refusing to drink and drive. During this busy winter holiday season, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 7, which includes Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska is teaming up with local law enforcement agencies to remind drivers: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
This high-visibility impaired driving awareness campaign runs Wednesday, December 11, 2024, through Wednesday, January 1, 2025. In support of the law enforcement community’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, drivers will see officers working together during the holiday season to take drunk drivers off the roads.
Alcohol-impaired driving is deadly and continues to be a factor in fatal traffic crashes in the United States, especially during the holidays. During the 2018-2022 December months, there were 4,759 people killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. In December 2022 alone, 1,062 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Unfortunately, males and young people are at greatest risk for injury or fatality: In December 2022, drunk male drivers were involved in fatal crashes at a much higher rate (22%) compared to female drivers (16%), and young drivers ages 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage (25%) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes.
“Drunk driving is deadly and illegal, and it should never be an option for getting home,” said NHTSA Regional Administrator Susan DeCourcy. “We want our community to have a joy-filled holiday season, but we want everyone to do so responsibly. That means everyone should refrain from drinking and driving. There are too many choices for a safe ride home. Use them,” she said.
To ensure safety during the holidays, drivers should plan ahead if they intend to drink. It’s important not to wait until after drinking to figure out how to get home, as impairment affects judgment. Secure a designated sober driver or arrange for a taxi or rideshare to get home safely.
Many people believe that being high doesn’t affect driving abilities, but they are wrong. It has been proven that marijuana, like other drugs, can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance, and make it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane.
If a driver realizes they can’t drive, they should hand their keys to a sober driver who can take them home. Friends should also be proactive; if someone has been consuming alcohol or other drugs and is thinking about driving, take their keys and help them find a sober ride. If you see an impaired driver, contact local law enforcement—you could save lives.
For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.