National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

Each year, thousands of Americans die in auto collisions caused by impaired driving, making it one the leading causes of preventable death on U.S. roadways.¹

The approaching holiday season is one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, which is observed in December, seeks to raise awareness for this issue and to make the road a safer place.

The Purpose of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month invites everyone to promote responsible decision-making through evidence-based approaches.

This includes:

• Raising awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. In December 2022, 1,062 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.² However, impaired driving not only applies to alcohol but also the use of other substances such as marijuana, which some may mistakenly believe does not inhibit driving ability.
• Supporting people with substance use disorders in their recovery and ensuring access to treatment for people who need it.
• Encouraging people to have a plan to get home before they go out to a social event where they may become intoxicated.

What is Impaired Driving?

Impaired driving refers to driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of a substance that affects one’s ability to do so, such as:

• Alcohol.
• Marijuana.
• Illicit drugs (e.g., heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine).
• Certain over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs.

Fatigue is also a potential cause of impairment when driving. Whether caused by substance use, overworking, or lack of sleep, driving while fatigued can have devastating consequences.

Reasons Why Impaired Driving is Dangerous

Impaired driving is incredibly risky, and different substances may affect someone’s ability to drive in varying ways. The most common substance involved in traffic accidents is alcohol, followed by marijuana.³

Ways in which alcohol can negatively impact someone’s driving performance include:⁴

• Reduced coordination.
• Diminished reaction time.
• Impaired vision.
• Sleepiness.

Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher will result in a DUI or DWI in most states in the U.S.* How quickly this limit is reached depends on many different factors, including gender, weight, if the person has eaten, and more. However, research shows that even a single drink can affect someone’s driving ability, even if they are not considered impaired under the law.⁵

Marijuana use also impairs coordination and reduces reaction time. In addition, it can also inhibit someone’s ability to judge distances.⁶

*Utah imposes a BAC limit of 0.05 for drivers.

Prevention Resources and Toolkits

Government agencies and other organizations provide ad campaign materials, research articles, and other documents that can be used to spread awareness, understand the challenges faced, and more. :

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Marketing website, which provides posters, web and radio ads, and more.⁷
• The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD), which works with the government and organizations to reduce and prevent underage drinking and its consequences. Their website provides research data and resources regarding awareness, prevention, treatment, and enforcement.⁸
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides resources for speaking with kids about impaired driving.⁹
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a list of effective strategies used in preventing impaired driving and associated consequences.¹⁰

How to Get Involved This Month

There are a few different ways you can make a difference this National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. You can:

• Talk to your loved ones—especially children and adolescents—about impaired driving. Make sure they not only know about the risks of driving impaired but also strategies for avoiding ending up in situations where they or someone they are with is tempted to drive intoxicated. This may include having an exit strategy, such as calling a taxi or rideshare service, staying the night, or persuading someone to not drive if they’re intoxicated.
• Share resources and data on impaired driving on social media. Some of the websites listed in the previous section have useful infographics and information made for this purpose.
• Talk to your loved ones about substance use treatment or consider getting help for yourself if you’ve lost control of your drinking or drug use. Driving while impaired is a strong possible indicator that someone has a substance use disorder.

Contact an admissions navigator at American Addiction Centers if you believe you or a loved one is suffering from addiction. Our compassionate team can verify insurance over the phone, answer questions about treatment, and help you or your loved one get help today.