Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving – Stay Safe This Holiday Season

I have to admit, I am a little bit of a “worry wart” – actually a lot a bit. What can I say? I love my wife and kids. I find that most of the time it is pretty easy to talk to my teenagers about things. At least, I think that they are listening. And if not, hopefully it soaked in somewhere. One conversation that I have had MANY times with them is drinking, drinking and driving, and their friends drinking. You might think it is an uncomfortable conversation, but really, it isn’t. It is one that NEEDS to happen.

The holidays are always a busy time of year. I am usually working, but my kids always make plans either with friends or family. And whatever the case may be, I know that they will likely be out on the road at some point over the holiday season, as is with most people. And while I am always worried about them when they take off driving, there is even more worry when I think about how alcohol-impaired drivers were involved in 37% of traffic fatalities during the Christmas holiday period and 44% of traffic fatalities over New Year’s – making the winter holiday seasons one of the deadliest times to be on the road.

When you pick up that third or fourth glass of wine, that fifth beer, that third shot of whiskey, do you think that it is worth $10,000? You probably don’t think about that, right? Not a big deal, as long as you never plan on picking up your car keys. But if you do, remember that even ONE drink can cost you, because buzzed driving is considered drunk driving. Buzzed driving can cost around $10,000 in fines, legal fees and increased insurance rates. Is it really WORTH the risk?

The U.S Department of Transportation and the Ad Council are asking everyone to drive smart this Holiday Season and to pledge not to drive buzzed. Fatalities related to drunk driving are 100 percent preventable and the spike in buzzed driving around the holidays is especially alarming.

Social media is a huge part of the lives of so many people on a daily basis. So let’s use it! Spread the word and ask others to pledge not to drive buzzed! It only takes a minute and that minute could save someone’s life.