The holidays are known for being merry and bright, but they’re also known for being the deadliest season when it comes to drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the month of December 2015, 840 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver.
Last year, during the 2015-2016 Christmas Holiday Season (Dec. 1, 2015 to Jan. 1, 2016), there were 2,374 alcohol-related traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 102 fatalities and 205 serious injuries. The year before that there were 2,417 alcohol-related traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 112 fatalities and 192 serious injuries. Comparing the 2014/2015 holiday season with the 2015/2016 holiday season there was a 9 percent decrease in alcohol-related crashes.
We want to continue this trend. Texans can help make the holidays merry and bright all season long by remembering to make a plan to get home safely before the festivities begin. Visit SoberRides.org to find alternatives to drinking and driving, such as:
- Calling a taxi or using a transportation app on your smartphone.
- Using mass transit.
- Asking a sober friend or family member for a ride home.
- Spending the night.
We encourage you to use these marketing tools and share these stories to help reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads. Even reaching just one family member or friend this holiday season could help save a life.
TxDOT’s Plan While You Can Holiday 2016 Campaign
Family Loses Daughter to Drunk Driver, Shares Story to Spare Others from Heartbreak During Holidays
NHTSA’s Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving Holiday 2016 Campaign, Spanish Versions Available
School may be on holiday break, but we’re counting on you to continue spreading the message during the holiday season.
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