In our 2023 Drowsy Driving Survey, we wanted to learn more about the attitudes, behaviors, and perceived risks of drowsy driving among teen drivers. Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States. Educating teens, and their parents, about the risks of drowsy driving and the importance of getting the sleep they need before they get behind the wheel can help keep everyone safe on the road. Just like drunk, drugged, and distracted driving, drowsy driving is a real public health issue, causing thousands of car crashes each year and killing an estimated 6,400 people in the U.S. alone according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports an estimated 100,000 crashes each year are caused primarily by drowsy driving, resulting in more than 71,000 injuries and $12.5 million in damages. Prevention Week (NPW), hosted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is an annual national health observance focused on increasing the prevention of substance use and the promotion of mental health.
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Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and nonfatal injury among U.S. adolescents, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths and 300,000 nonfatal injuries each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Families, educators, health care providers, and community leaders are invited to promote responsible decision-making and encourage young people to live free of drugs and alcohol. As everyone takes precautions to be able to safely return to in-person events, more and more celebrations are being added to the calendar. It could be an intimate dinner at a friend’s house, perhaps a happy hour to celebrate a return to the office, or a gathering of high school friends home from college.
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month — December 2004
But we ask you to stop and think for a second about being responsible. December is alcoholic denial how to help an alcoholic in denial and since the holiday season has a higher accident rate than others on average, it is important to echo the message of consciousness of being in a proper state behind the wheel. According to the National Safety Council, over 40,000 people died in alcohol-related traffic accidents last year.
Join the conversation about sleep health and drowsy driving.
Alcohol-impaired driving crashes—which range from being under the influence of substances to distracted driving to speeding—increase throughout December as more people travel. SAMHSA’s 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed over 26 million people ages 16 or older drove under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs during the past year. Approximately 17 percent of these people were 20 to 25 years old. As we head into the holiday seasons, we urge Americans everywhere to do the right thing. If you plan on drinking, arrange a sober ride home in advance; ride-sharing apps have made getting home safely easier than ever.
Teen drivers with jobs are more than 2X as likely as those without to have driven while so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) founder Candy Lightner challenged legislators to take drunk driving seriously. The pain caused by one person’s choice to drive impaired is often permanent. Every single death left a permanent empty seat at the table and turned a time of celebration into tragedy. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S.
Take a cab or use a ride-sharing app after a party or visiting a bar
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), within the U.S. Department of Transportation, with the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration remind you to celebrate safely this holiday season. We stand with all those who have known the tragic consequences of drugged or drunk driving, and we rededicate ourselves to preventing it this December and throughout the year. Starting with the American Rescue Plan, my Administration has secured billions of dollars to expand access to substance use services. We distributed $1.5 billion to fight the opioid epidemic this fall.
Far too many families are left getting that gut-wrenching phone call after an accident — their worlds changed forever. Far too many passengers and pedestrians see their lives destroyed by someone else’s bad decision, and far too many law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to keep impaired drivers off our roads. We owe it to them all to do everything we can to prevent future tragedies. That starts by working to reduce substance use disorders, raising awareness of the dangers of impaired driving; and investing in technologies that can help prevent crashes, injuries, and deaths. We must also share our appreciation for the law enforcement officers who risk their lives each day to keep our communities safe while keeping impaired drivers off of our roadways.
- If you work early mornings, late nights, or alternating shifts, you have a higher chance of drowsy driving.
- Each December, we go out for fun, parties and drinks with family and friends.
- Alcohol, illicit drugs, and even over-the-counter and prescription medications can impair a driver’s judgment, decrease motor coordination, and slow the reaction time necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle.
- As we head into the holiday seasons, we urge Americans everywhere to do the right thing.
- National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month occurs annually in the month of December, as it is the height of the holiday season.
95% of teens say drowsy driving is risky, but most rate drunk, drugged, and distracted driving as more dangerous. Each December, we all go out for fun, parties and drinks with family and friends. However, please stop and think for a second about being responsible. SAMHSA’s mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes. If we practice prevention to keep ourselves and our communities safe, the holidays can be full of the joy we expect them to be.
Department of Health and Human Services.References to non-CDC sites on the Internet are provided as a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S. CDC is not responsible for the content of pages found at these sites. URL addresses listed in MMWR were current as of the date of publication. We’ll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden animal-assisted therapy and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better. We keep track of fun holidays and special moments on the cultural calendar — giving you exciting activities, deals, local events, brand promotions, and other exciting ways to celebrate. Follow us on social media to learn more about how to be your Best Slept Self® and how you can prevent drowsy driving.
My Administration is building our capacity to end impaired driving by supporting innovative strategies that reduce impaired driving-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities while safeguarding against bias and ensuring racial equity. To identify and support people with substance use disorders, we are increasing impaired driving risk screening, supporting evidence-based prevention programs, and providing access to evidence-based treatment and recovery support services. My Administration is also raising awareness about the effects of impairment on driving ability through the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different national media campaigns. At the same time, we are promoting life-saving tools that can keep people from driving under the influence. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for example, provides funds for States to develop new technologies that can detect and prevent drunk and drug-impaired driving.
We remember the victims and honor their memory by making the responsible decision to drive sober and ensure that others do the same. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2019 during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, 210 lives were lost due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes. drooling: causes and treatments That’s 210 people in one week who didn’t make it home because either they or someone with whom they came in contact chose to use alcohol and then get behind the wheel. That same year, more than 10,000 people died from drunk driving crashes alone. Each December, we go out for fun, parties and drinks with family and friends.
President Donald Trump continued in that tradition this month, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to prevent tragedies by making the decision to drive sober. We’re asking everyone to take personal responsibility this holiday season by making a plan for a safe ride home before your celebrations begin. If you’re a host, provide an alternative to your guests, such as festive, non-alcoholic drinks offered by our partner Mocktail Beverages.
Most people understand it’s risky, but they don’t think about the consequences. We won’t stop until no mother has to experience this 100% preventable lossagain- but we need your compassion to get us closer. Be driven by a mother’s painand help prevent more victims of drunk and drugged driving. The proclamation also remembers victims of impaired driving, offers prayers for grieving families impacted by these tragedies and honors law enforcement who are on the front lines of the violent, preventable crime of impaired driving. If you work early mornings, late nights, or alternating shifts, you have a higher chance of drowsy driving. When you’re sleep-deprived, your motor functions and reaction time are impaired, which can raise your chances of getting into a crash.
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