National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

December is being observed as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month (also known as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month), and a number of communities in this region are striving, in some way, to make injuries and deaths from impaired driving less of a threat.

An average of approximately 30 people are killed in drunk driving accidents and almost 8700 are injured each day throughout the U.S. During National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month and throughout the year, communities, health and safety organizations, and residents are being encouraged by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work to prevent these tragedies.

Communities are asked to encourage residents to heed these recommendations:

• Designate a driver before going out.
• Don't allow impaired family or friends to get behind the wheel.
• When you host a party, look out for your guests.
• If you've been drinking or using drugs, get a cab, take public transit, or call a friend or family member to pick you up.

For more information, please visit:

Presidential Proclamation: National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2019

Background information:

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Impaired Driving

U.S. Dept. of Transportation: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Traffic Safety Facts: 2017 Data: Alcohol-Impaired Driving