Author: James Anderson
Preventing drunk and drugged driving Article The United States Army
We must also share our appreciation for the law enforcement officers who risk their lives each day to keep our communities safe while keeping impaired drivers off of our roadways. The best way to reduce the deadly cost of impaired driving is prevention, which starts by raising awareness of its risks and consequences and by working to treat substance misuse in the first place. Since taking office, my Administration has committed to provide over $169 billion in drug control funding to end the overdose crisis. My Administration is building our capacity to end impaired driving by supporting innovative strategies that reduce impaired driving-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities while safeguarding against bias and ensuring racial equity.
- During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we call on everyone to help save a life by planning ahead, calling for a ride, only driving when sober, and helping friends and loved ones do the same every time.
- This holiday season, too many American families will have an empty seat at their table after losing a loved one in a drunk or drug-impaired driving accident.
- NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 2022 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.
- December is designated as “Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month” — a national campaign designed to bring awareness to these problems, and to provide education and information regarding prevention.
Driving while impaired by any substance — legal or illegal — is dangerous. Alcohol, illicit drugs, and even over-the-counter and prescription medications can impair a driver’s judgment, decrease motor coordination, and slow the reaction time necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle. Every year, thousands of lives are needlessly lost on our Nation’s roadways because of alcohol — and drug-impaired driving.
This holiday season, too many American families will have an empty seat at their table after losing a loved one in a drunk or drug-impaired driving accident. More than 10,000 Americans die every year in these preventable crashes. During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we call on everyone to help save a life by planning ahead, calling for a ride, only driving when sober, and helping friends and loved ones do the same every time. Nearly a third of deadly car wrecks in America involve alcohol, and some 26 million people drove under the influence in 2020, endangering themselves, passengers and passersby, and the law enforcement officers who work to keep our roads safe.
December 2023 Featured Resources
During the holiday season, victims, family members, friends, and colleagues may experience life-changing traumas again through flashbacks, nightmares, and overwhelming sadness. The amount of alcohol consumed by a person can be detected using either a breathalyzer devise, or a blood test. Alcohol levels are measured by the weight of the alcohol in a certain volume of blood. A BAC of .08 grams of alcohol per deciliter (g/dL) of blood, increases the chances of a car crash exponentially.
To identify and support people with substance use disorders, we are increasing impaired driving risk screening, supporting evidence-based prevention programs, and providing access to evidence-based treatment and recovery support services. My Administration is also raising awareness about the effects of impairment on driving ability through the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different national media campaigns. My Administration is advancing new tools that can help prevent driving under the influence and improve road safety.
These substances include prescription drugs, illegal drugs and even some over-the-counter medications. Like alcohol, use of marijuana and other drugs can impair a person’s driving by slowing judgement, muscle coordination and reaction time. The use of cocaine and methamphetamines can cause people to drive recklessly and more aggressively. Some over-the-counter medication and prescribed medications can have side effects, such as extreme drowsiness or dizziness. It is always important to consult your doctor about the side effects of medications you are taking, and always follow the warning labels before driving.
Preventing drunk and drugged driving
And we are working to help end the stigma around addiction so more people feel free to seek the help they need. Moreover, years of research has determined that even the smallest amounts of alcohol reduces the functionality of our brain. An intoxicated person will become impaired processing information, making decisions and coordinating muscle movement. While it is important to know the laws, it is equally important to know that any of use of alcohol may impair driving. Besides blood and urine tests, the other most used method are Field Sobriety Tests, which are cognitive and balance tasks law enforcement uses to determine a person’s well-being. Walking in a straight line or saying the alphabet backwards are an example of field sobriety tests.
These are avoidable tragedies that leave deep holes in our Nation’s families and communities. During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we reaffirm our commitment to preventing impaired driving. We remember the victims and honor their memory by making the responsible decision to drive sober and ensure that others do the same. During this holiday season especially, let us remember all those we have lost to impaired driving and take simple steps to save lives. I encourage every American to plan ahead how you will get home after drinking and to be sure that if you have used any substance you never get behind the wheel.
Why National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month is Important
The Supreme Court ruled that police sobriety checks on public roads are constitutional. Though there are no rules to help someone get through the holidays, OVC offers suggestions from survivors based on their lived experience in Coping With the Holidays After the Death of a Loved One or When You Are a Victim/Crime Survivor. We keep track of fun holidays and special moments on the cultural calendar — giving you exciting activities, deals, local events, brand promotions, and other exciting ways to celebrate. The table below, from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), explains how alcohol can cause driving impairments, even in small quantities.
As we head into the holiday seasons, we urge Americans everywhere to do the right thing. If you plan on drinking, arrange a sober ride home in advance; ride-sharing apps have made getting home safely easier than ever. If you see someone — a friend, loved one, colleague, or anyone else — putting themselves or others at risk, offer to help. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 2022 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. I urge all Americans to make responsible decisions and take appropriate measures to prevent impaired driving. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 2021 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — The holiday season can be a wonderful time of year. As COVID-19 safety regulations permit, community members gather to enjoy the change in scenery, cold weather, hot chocolate and warm fires. Under normal circumstances, the season is also typically greeted with an increased use of alcohol or other substances, which can lead to negative consequences such as arrests for Driving under the Influence (DUI) or impaired driving. Each December, we go out for fun, parties and drinks with family and friends. But we ask you to stop and think for a second about being responsible. December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month and since the holiday season has a higher accident rate than others on average, it is important to echo the message of consciousness of being in a proper state behind the wheel.