Holiday celebrations increase the chances of impaired driving
December arrives with twinkling lights, packed calendars, and celebrations that seem to come one after another. But as much joy as the season brings, it also casts a colder shadow on the roads: the risk of drunk driving accidents.
That’s why December is recognized as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a time when communities across the country take a closer look at the risks that come with mixing holiday cheer and dangerous choices. It’s a reminder that while spirits may be bright, impaired driving dims everything it touches.
Winter sees an increase in impaired-driving accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the winter holiday period routinely sees a dangerous spike in impaired-driving crashes and fatalities. It isn’t just because more people are drinking. Impairment affects judgment long before a person feels unsteady, and snowy or icy conditions only magnify the risks.
By designating December as a month of awareness, national leaders hope to push conversations that otherwise get overlooked during the holiday rush. It’s a chance for families, workplaces, schools, and communities to talk openly about how impairment happens, why it’s dangerous, and what steps can prevent a tragedy.
What makes impaired driving such a persistent danger during the holidays?
Holiday celebrations create circumstances where impaired driving becomes more likely. People attend more social gatherings in December than in almost any other month, and alcohol is often part of those events. Even individuals who rarely drink may find themselves having “just one more,” which can make it harder to judge when they’ve crossed the line into impairment.
At the same time, the season brings longer nights, slippery roads, heavier traffic, and even a greater risk of drowsy driving. All of that creates a perfect storm for crashes when someone who shouldn’t be driving decides to take the wheel.
Where does alcohol impairment begin?
Even small amounts of alcohol begin to alter the brain’s ability to process information, make decisions, and react to unexpected situations on the road. As Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) increases, these impairments become more pronounced and more dangerous. According to the NHTSA, 2,117 people died in car accidents involving a driver with a BAC between .01 and .07 g/dL, which is below the legal limit of .08.
The following breakdown shows how different BAC levels typically affect a driver behind the wheel:
- .02 BAC: Drivers may feel slightly more relaxed and experience a mild loss of judgment, which can lead to difficulty tracking moving objects and trouble handling more than one task at a time.
- .05 BAC: Small-muscle control starts to slip, alertness drops, and judgment becomes clouded, resulting in reduced coordination, poorer steering control, and slower responses in emergencies.
- .08 BAC: Balance, reaction time, vision, and hearing become noticeably impaired, making it harder to detect danger, maintain steady speed, process information quickly, and react to changing traffic conditions.
- .10 BAC: Reaction time continues to decline, speech may become slurred, and overall coordination weakens, leading to problems staying in a lane and delayed braking when hazards appear.
- .15 BAC: Drivers at this level often struggle with major loss of balance and muscle control, and their ability to process visual and auditory information drops sharply, causing severe difficulty controlling the vehicle.
What can be done to prevent drunk driving crashes this holiday season?
One of the strongest prevention tools is planning ahead. There are many practical ways to prevent drunk driving during the holiday season. Here’s how:
- Plan a sober ride before you start drinking.
- Use rideshares, taxis, or public transit when celebrating.
- Offer alcohol-free drink options at gatherings.
- Take a friend’s keys if they’ve been drinking and try to drive.
- Give your own keys to someone sober if you feel unsure about driving.
- Encourage guests to stay overnight when possible.
- Set clear expectations with teens and young drivers about holiday safety.
- Report suspected impaired drivers to local law enforcement.
What should I do if I’m injured by a drunk driver?
Being struck by a drunk driver can turn a joyful time of year into a moment of confusion and fear, but the steps you take immediately afterward can protect your health, your rights, and your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you should do:
Start by calling 911, even if the crash seems minor. If you’re able, take photos of the vehicles, the roadway, and anything else that helps show what happened. Getting the names and contact information of witnesses is also helpful, since memories fade quickly.
Medical care should follow right away. Some injuries don’t show symptoms until hours later, and getting checked by a doctor not only protects your health but also creates a record linking your injuries to the crash. Avoid discussing fault at the scene and don’t agree to any settlement or apology from the impaired driver. Their insurance company may reach out quickly, but you are not required to give a recorded statement, and doing so may work against you.
Let Goldberg Finnegan protect your rights
Drunk driving cases often involve complicated evidence, including police findings, field sobriety tests, breath or blood results, and witness accounts. Plus, Maryland doesn’t allow a driver’s intoxication to be considered when determining damages in a civil case. That means plaintiffs can’t recover additional compensation simply because the at-fault driver was drunk.
That’s why you need an experienced lawyer on your side who knows Maryland law and knows how to fight for the rights of injured motorists. Goldberg Finnegan Cannon, LLC can gather the facts to support your case, communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, and help you pursue the compensation you need to recover.
To find out how we can help during these difficult times, contact us online or call for a free consultation. There are no upfront or hidden costs for our services; we work on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf.
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