New Year’s Eve
New Year’s celebrations are coming up and this is a great time to think about New Habits you want to form! You care about leaning into your values and being a safe driver that cares for other drivers on the road behind you, beside you and in front of you. What about those you love, though? Are there people in your family as you approach the New Year that you could ask if they want to join you on SAFE 2 SAVE FAM and challenge one another to be the best, most focused drivers you can ALL be?
Speaking of friends and family, if you plan to celebrate with them this New Year’s Eve, you may be at a greater risk of a car collision than you would during other times of the year.
DRIVING ON NEW YEAR’S: HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
One of the most popular things to do during a New Year’s celebration is to drink a glass of champagne when the clock strikes midnight. Along with champagne, people may be prone to consume other alcoholic beverages as they celebrate the new year’s arrival. Yet, if people aren’t careful, they may overindulge in alcoholic beverages during their New Year’s celebrations. The result: these individuals can put themselves and others in danger, particularly if they get behind the wheel and cause a collision.
NEW YEAR’S EVE DRUNK DRIVING STATS:
Drunk driving is a problem on our nation’s roads every day, but it’s more prevalent during the holidays. During the New Year’s and Christmas periods in 2018, there were 285 drunk-driving-related fatalities. These deaths were 100% preventable. In 2018, there were 10,511 people killed nationwide in drunk-driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third of the crash fatalities that year. The tragedy of these deaths is felt year-round, but for many, most strongly during the holidays.
IF YOU FEEL DIFFERENT, YOU DRIVE DIFFERENT.
DRIVE HIGH, GET A DUI
Like drunk driving, drug-impaired driving is illegal in all 50 states. In 2017, 45% of the drivers killed in fatal crashes who were tested for drugs, tested positive. Whether the drug is obtained legally or illegally, drug-impaired driving can be deadly for drivers, passengers, and others on the road.
NEW YEAR’S EVE DRIVING TIPS
If you intend to commemorate the new year’s arrival with family and friends, make sure to drive cautiously. If you prioritize New Year’s driving safety, you can minimize the risk of a collision that results in serious injuries or fatalities.
There are several things you can do to navigate the roads safely on New Year’s Eve. Safety tips include:
1. Plan Ahead
Depart for your New Year’s celebration as early as you can. Determine which roads you plan to take before you begin your drive. If you encounter heavy traffic or poor weather conditions, return home.
2. Drive the Speed Limit
Don’t exceed the speed limit, even if you’re behind schedule and want to reach your New Year’s celebration right away. It is unsafe to travel too fast on roads, regardless of the circumstances. Fortunately, if you drive the speed limit and follow the rules of the road, you’re well-equipped to reach your New Year’s celebration safely.
3. Avoid Driving Distractions
Mount your phone and after setting navigation, choose to remember the call/text can wait and don’t eat or drink when driving. USE SAFE 2 SAVE and focus exclusively on the task at hand: driving safely, so you can celebrate the arrival of the new year with family and friends.
4. Never Drink and Drive
If you recently consumed alcohol, ask a friend or family member to drive you to your New Year’s celebration. You can also hire a ridesharing service to avoid getting behind the wheel while under the influence. If you are the designated driver, make a commitment to 100% sobriety to keep you and your friends safe. And, if you have a friend who is about to drive impaired, take away their keys and help them make arrangements to get home safely — it will be the greatest gift you ever give them.
NHTSA said it well in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Article “As we’ve seen since the public health emergency began, drivers are making riskier decisions when they’re behind the wheel — including drinking and driving. As the year comes to a close and a new one begins, make it a point to drive sober every day.”