The holiday season is here, and with it comes a potent reminder to avoid drinking and driving. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is partnering with law enforcement agencies in Iowa for its “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Running from Dec. 11 through Jan. 1, the high-visibility campaign aims to reduce alcohol-impaired driving, a persistent factor in fatal crashes during the holidays. From 2018 to 2022, alcohol-impaired driving claimed 4,759 lives during December alone, with 1,062 fatalities recorded in December 2022. NHTSA Regional Administrator Susan DeCourcy says, “Drunk driving is deadly and illegal, and it should never be an option for getting home. 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.” The campaign also highlights risks associated with marijuana and other drugs, which impair reaction times and cognitive performance. Drivers are urged to plan ahead by designating a sober driver or arranging alternate transportation. Again, the NHTSA campaign begins Dec. 11 and runs through Jan. 1. For more information, follow the link included below.
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www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
