Prevent Drunk and Drugged Driving this Month

December is often thought of as a joyous month where family and friends meet frequently for celebratory purposes. Holiday parties in homes, offices or local food and beverage establishments are a part of almost everyone’s schedule. Alcohol consumption and recreational drug use sometimes play a part in these festive occasions.

December has its dark side, however, as anyone who has ever lost a loved one to a drinking-and-driving accident can tell you. National drunk driving stats indicate that almost 12,000 people die per year in alcohol and drug related automobile accidents. For this reason, December is designated as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month by Presidential proclamation.

Young, inexperienced drivers are all too often involved in accidents caused by consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs. Parents may be able to significantly reduce the number of these types of accidents by speaking honestly with their children about the dangers of drinking or using drugs before operating a motor vehicle. It may not, however, be enough for them to counsel against the practice. Some parents and children sign a contact with each other stating that should the child find him or herself unable to drive home from a social gathering for any reason, the parents will be called for a ride. Although some people view this as being very close to giving minors permission to engage in alcohol and drug use, parents who have lost children to vehicular accidents often wish that they had agreed to such an arrangement when they still had the chance.

Not all accidents involving drug and alcohol use are fatal, though. Many simply create a situation where someone has to give the other party a substantial amount of money to pay for repairs to damaged automobiles. Carrying good insurance is important for those who don’t want to be overwhelmed with financial obligations should they find themselves unlucky enough to be part of a holiday season car crash.

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