NHTSA Campaign Urges Drivers to Choose a Sober Ride This Holiday Season

The holidays are supposed to be about joy, family, and maybe a little too much eggnog. But when that eggnog turns into a decision to drive home after a few drinks, the season can turn tragic in seconds. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is running its annual holiday campaign to remind drivers that buzzed driving is drunk driving, and choosing a sober ride saves lives.

What is buzzed driving and why does it matter?

What a lot of drivers don't realize is that they don't have to be stumbling drunk to be legally impaired. The NHTSA's "Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving" campaign targets exactly this misconception. People think that if they can walk straight and talk normally, they're fine to drive. But your body doesn't work that way.

Even at a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of just 0.02, your visual functions start to decline, and you lose the ability to track moving objects as well. By the time you hit 0.05, your coordination is off, your ability to steer smoothly is compromised, and your reaction time in an emergency slows down. Plus, the risk of drowsy driving increases due to the relaxation effect of alcohol. We're still talking about levels below the 0.08 legal limit.

In 2023 alone, more than 2,100 people were killed in crashes where the driver had a BAC between 0.01 and 0.07. That's thousands of families who lost someone because a driver thought they were "just buzzed" and not actually drunk.

What does serious alcohol impairment look like?

At a .08 BAC, a driver’s coordination, balance, vision, speech, and reaction time begin to break down. Judgment and self-control are noticeably impaired. This makes it harder to recognize danger or make quick decisions. This level of alcohol also affects concentration, memory, perception, and the ability to control speed or process what’s happening on the road.

At a .10 BAC, reaction time slows even more, thinking becomes sluggish, and coordination suffers. Slurred speech and poor motor control make it difficult for a driver to stay in their lane or brake when needed.

By the time someone reaches a .15 BAC, the effects become severe. Most people struggle to maintain balance, think clearly, or control their muscles, and vomiting is common. At this point, safe driving becomes nearly impossible because vehicle control, attention, and the ability to process visual and auditory information are all significantly impaired.

Why are the holidays so dangerous for drunk driving?

December is one of the deadliest months on the road. Between 2019 and 2023, more than 4,900 people were killed in drunk driving crashes during December alone.

In Alabama, you've got all the usual holiday traffic plus college football bowl games, family reunions, and late nights out. Those long stretches of rural highway between towns can be especially dangerous when an impaired driver is behind the wheel. Because alcohol-impaired crashes are about three times more likely to happen at night, those late drives home from holiday gatherings become high-risk situations.

Here's what makes the holiday season particularly risky:

• More social events with alcohol
• Increased traffic and congestion on highways
• Late-night driving when impairment is harder to detect

How can people prevent drunk driving crashes during the holidays?

NHTSA advises planning a sober ride before going out, since judgment becomes impaired after drinking, and people are more likely to believe they are “okay to drive.” Here are some ways to prevent drunk driving this holiday season:

• Planning ahead: Before heading to a party or gathering, individuals should decide how they will get home, whether that means designating a sober driver or arranging a rideshare or taxi in advance.
• Calling safe rides: Hosts are encouraged to help guests make safe choices by offering to call rides for anyone who has been drinking.
• Intervention: Friends should intervene if someone attempts to drive after drinking, including taking their keys when necessary.
• Taking it easy: People can prevent drunk driving by pacing themselves, eating before drinking, switching to water throughout the night, and stopping alcohol use well before the event ends.
• Offering non-alcoholic options: Hosts can reduce risks by serving plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, offering food throughout the event, ending alcohol service early, and creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests who need to stay overnight.
• Spread awareness: Communities can help by spreading awareness, encouraging designated driver programs, and supporting safe-ride services during the holiday season.

What if I'm the victim of a drunk driver?

If you've been hit by a drunk or buzzed driver in Alabama, you're probably dealing with serious injuries, medical bills, time off work, and an insurance company that's trying to settle your case for as little as possible. The at-fault driver's insurance provider will downplay the impairment, question your injuries, and push you to accept a quick settlement before you even know the full extent of your damages.

Dean Waite & Associates, LLC has handled countless drunk driving crash cases across Alabama. We know how to investigate these crashes, obtain police reports and BAC test results, interview witnesses, and work with crash reconstruction experts to prove exactly what happened and who's responsible. We fight to get our clients full compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and in wrongful death cases, the devastating loss of a loved one.

If you or someone you love was injured in a crash and you suspect the at-fault driver was impaired, contact us as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation. Don't hesitate ... Call Dean Waite!

"I contacted Dean and Chase to handle my case. From the first meeting, they provided peace of mind. Along with their staff, Dean and Chase were very informative and handled my case efficiently and professionally. Would highly recommend this firm to represent you with your legal matters." - T.H., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐