Here is my short PSA. I remind you all of this not only for your own safety, and the safety of your children but for mine, my children, all everyone else out on the roads as well.

#BuzzedDriving

According to the National Safety Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the period between Christmas and New Year’s typically has one of the highest rates of impaired driving fatalities.

Fatalities related to drunk driving are 100 percent preventable and the spike in buzzed driving around the holidays is especially alarming.

Some stats:

• In 2014, 9,967 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. These alcohol-impaired fatalities accounted for more 31% of the total motor vehicle traffic facilities in the United States.
• 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.
• Buzzed driving can cost around $10,000 in fines, legal fees and increased insurance rates.

Let’s ring in the New Year safely and plan ahead and designating a sober driver before they go out this year. Visit http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/ to sign the pledge to not drive buzzed and learn more about buzzed driving and the dangers that can come with it.