Your local Health Center pharmacies remind you to celebrate safely this holiday season. All too often families deal with the tragic consequences of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Impaired driving includes distracted driving, drugged driving, and drunk driving.
In an average year, 30 million Americans drive drunk, and 10 million Americans drive impaired by illicit drugs.
A 2010 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed that 13.2 percent of all people aged 16 or older drove under the influence of alcohol and 4.3 percent drove under the influence of illicit drugs during the past year.1
Furthermore, rates of impaired driving differed dramatically by age.
- While 11.8 percent of people aged 26 and older drove drunk, 19.5 percent of people aged 16 to 25 drove drunk.
- And, 2.8 percent of the older group drove drugged, while 11.4 percent of younger drivers did so.
December seems particularly suited to this observation because traffic fatalities that involve impaired drivers increase significantly during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods.
- On average, 25 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes per day during December 2010.
- Young adults are among those at greatest risk for driving impaired. During December 2010, drivers 21 to 34 years old were alcohol impaired and involved in fatal crashes at a higher percentage than any other age group.
All 50 States and the District of Columbia enforce the minimum legal drinking age of 21 years.
If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life. Families play an essential part in stopping impaired driving. By talking about the risks and setting clear expectations, parents and other caregivers can help their children stay safe, sober, and focused on the road.
Wishing you and your families a wonderful and safe holiday season.