Don’t Let Celebration Turn Into Tragedy: The Truth About Holiday Impaired Driving
The holiday season is meant for joy, family gatherings, and celebration. But behind the lights and laughter lies a sobering reality: impaired driving spikes dramatically during this time of year, turning what should be cherished memories into devastating tragedies.
The Alarming Numbers
From 2018 to 2022, 38% of crash deaths during major holiday periods involved drunk drivers—a 27.7% increase compared to non-holiday crashes.
Between Christmas and New Year’s, 40% of traffic fatalities involve drunk drivers, with an average of 54 alcohol-related deaths per day.
On the Fourth of July in 2023, 233 people died in drunk driving crashes, and 40% of drivers killed were intoxicated.
Thanksgiving 2023 saw 39% of fatalities linked to alcohol-impaired drivers.
Overall, between 2017 and 2021, 38% of holiday traffic deaths involved drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or higher.
These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent lives cut short, families shattered, and communities grieving.
Why Holiday Impaired Driving Is So Dangerous
It’s not just alcohol that puts lives at risk. Other substances can impair drivers in ways that are just as deadly:
Cannabis (weed): Slows reaction time, distorts perception, and reduces coordination.
Prescription medications: Painkillers, sedatives, and anti-anxiety drugs can cause drowsiness, confusion, or delayed responses.
Over-the-counter drugs: Even common cold or allergy medicines can impair alertness and judgment.
Mixing substances: Combining alcohol with cannabis or medications multiplies impairment and risk.
The danger is clear: any substance that alters awareness, slows reflexes, or clouds judgment makes driving unsafe.
Top Substances That Impair Driving
Alcohol – The leading cause of impaired driving crashes; reduces judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
Cannabis (Marijuana/THC) – Slows reflexes, impairs perception of time and distance, and reduces motor control.
Opioids (Prescription painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine) – Cause drowsiness, confusion, and slowed breathing.
Benzodiazepines (Anti-anxiety medications like Xanax, Valium, Ativan) – Lead to sedation, dizziness, and impaired coordination.
Stimulants (Cocaine, methamphetamine, or misuse of ADHD medications) – Can cause reckless driving, aggression, and poor judgment.
Sleep medications (Ambien, Lunesta, etc.) – May cause “sleep-driving” or extreme drowsiness.
Over-the-counter drugs (antihistamines, cold medicines, cough syrups) – Often underestimated, but can cause fatigue, blurred vision, and slowed reaction times.
Why It’s Wrong
Driving under the influence—whether alcohol, cannabis, or medication—isn’t just a bad decision. It’s a moral failure. It places innocent lives at risk, disregards the safety of families on the road, and undermines the spirit of the season. Celebration should never come at the cost of someone else’s life.
What Parents Can Do
Parents play a critical role in shaping how young people view substances and responsibility. Here are practical steps to protect your family:
Model safe choices: Never drive after drinking or using impairing substances. Show your kids what responsibility looks like.
Talk openly: Discuss the dangers of impaired driving—not just alcohol, but cannabis and medications too.
Set boundaries: Establish family rules about substance use and transportation.
Plan ahead: Encourage designated drivers, ride-sharing apps (Uber, Lyft), or staying overnight after parties.
Empower teens: Remind them it’s okay to call for help if they feel unsafe. Create a “no-questions-asked” policy for rides home.
Prevention Strategies
Beyond family conversations, communities and organizations play a vital role in keeping roads safe during the holidays. Proven strategies include:
Designated drivers & ride-sharing apps (Uber, Lyft): Easy, accessible alternatives that save lives.
Public awareness campaigns: Initiatives like MADD’s “Tie One On for Safety” remind drivers of the risks and responsibilities.
Law enforcement checkpoints: Sobriety checkpoints during peak holiday nights deter impaired driving and catch offenders before tragedy strikes.
Community-level education: Schools, churches, and prevention groups can reinforce the message before big holidays, ensuring families hear it from trusted voices.
Turning Awareness Into Action
The holidays should be about joy, not grief. By raising awareness, setting strong examples, and having honest conversations, families and communities can prevent impaired driving tragedies.
This season, let’s commit to keeping our roads safe. Don’t let celebration turn into tragedy—whether it’s alcohol, weed, or medications, impaired driving is never worth the risk. Choose responsibility, choose life, and remember: ride sharing saves lives.
For more information, help, and resources, please visit www.steeredstraight.org or call (856) 691-6676
Our mission is to steer youth straight toward making sound, rational decisions through a learning experience that provides a message of reality to help them make positive, informed choices.
