Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving

A message from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

Last year, approximately 10,500 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.

Historically, holiday periods have shown higher incidences of these crashes, so whether you're at a holiday party, a New Year’s Eve bash at a bar or reveling with friends, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council are reminding everyone that the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead and designate a sober driver before you head out for your festivities.

Here are 7 ways to stay safe this holiday:

1. Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
2. Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home
3. If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely
4. Use your community’s sober ride program
5. If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement
6. Remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. If you know people who are about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, take the driver’s keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
7. Use one of our fun, holiday-themed posters on your blog or Facebook page

Here are some other tools to help keep you and your family and friends safe this holiday season:

•        Designated Driver Drink List — One of the most important things you can do before going out is designate a sober driver. If you’re throwing a party, make sure to offer plenty of non-alcoholic drinks for the sober drivers. We’ve compiled a Facebook tab with 50 non-alcoholic party drink recipes.

•        Alternative Ride Locator — We’ve created a Facebook tab with a list of nationwide alternative ride programs that can help keep you safe.

•        Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving website — You can sign a pledge not to drink and drive; play “Spot the Difference,” an interactive game that simulates the effects of buzzed driving; and watch a real-life video about how buzzed driving changed one woman’s life.

This holiday season, let’s work together to put an end to buzzed driving. Don’t ruin the holidays and the end of the year with a DUI — or worse. A new year is coming up -- do your part to lower the number of alcohol-impaired vehicle crashes in 2012! Ring in the New Year safely.