More than a lump of coal awaits drunk drivers this holiday season. Unfortunately, instances of drunk driving increase during the holidays, as more people are attending parties and festivities, and then driving home. In 2018, 29% (10,511) of all vehicle crashes involved drunk drivers, and 885 of those deaths occurred in December alone.   The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is described by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals as “One of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America’s roadways due to an increase in impaired driving.”

This holiday season, the Strasburg Borough Police Department (SBPD) is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remind all drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving. As you head out for a night of merrymaking, remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

According to NHTSA, 10,511 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2018. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2014 to 2018 — one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 50 minutes in 2018. This is why the SBPD is working with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, it is a matter of life and death. As you head out to the holiday festivities and office parties, remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

This year, SBPD and NHTSA urge you to designate a sober driver before you ever head out to the holiday festivities. Too many people take to the roadways after consuming alcohol because they think they are “okay to drive.” They may think they’ve had enough to eat, enough water to drink, or that body weight may factor into the equation. But these are inaccurate ways of measuring whether someone is safe to drive.

If you’re the designated driver, make sure you keep that promise of safety to yourself and your passengers. Stay hydrated with water and other non-alcoholic beverages. Support other designated drivers, too. It can be a long night, but people are counting on you, not to mention the other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the streets. Take the role of designated driver seriously — people are relying on you.

Party with a Plan

Before ever heading out, it’s vital to plan ahead. Be honest with yourself: You know whether you’ll be drinking or not. Follow these ideas to ensure you and your fellow partygoers stay safe.

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911!
• Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.