December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Learn how to stay safe, prevent drunk driving accidents, and protect yourself.
Last Updated: November 5, 2026
By: McCoy & McCoy
DECEMBER: NATIONAL IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH
December is a time for holiday celebrations, family gatherings, office parties, and traveling to see loved ones. Unfortunately, it is also a time when impaired driving can put innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk.
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
At McCoy & McCoy, our Connecticut personal injury lawyers understand how devastating an accident involving an impaired driver can be. As families prepare for the 2026 holiday season, we want to remind Connecticut drivers that making responsible decisions behind the wheel can save lives.
Alarming Statistics
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), impaired driving continues to claim thousands of lives each year.
11,904 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2024.
Approximately 30% of all traffic fatalities in 2024 involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
On average, one person was killed every 44 minutes in an alcohol-impaired driving crash in 2024.
Why Is Impaired Driving Especially Dangerous During the Holidays?
Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, Connecticut roads become busy with holiday travelers, shoppers, and families attending celebrations.
Holiday parties and social gatherings may involve alcohol, and some drivers mistakenly believe they are safe to drive after having only a few drinks. However, alcohol can affect judgment, reaction time, coordination, and the ability to recognize dangerous situations.
Whether you are traveling on I-84 through Hartford, I-95 along the Connecticut shoreline, or local roads in New Haven, Torrington, or Waterbury, impaired drivers can put everyone around them in danger.
How Can We Change These Statistics?
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is teaming up with law enforcement agencies across the country throughout the month of December by encouraging drivers to take personal responsibility before getting behind the wheel.
The Department of Transportation is also partnering with State and local agencies and non-profits to educate the public through its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different media campaigns.
We can all raise awareness in our communities by committing to stop avoidable traffic deaths and keeping America’s roadways safe by driving sober, helping others get home safely, and supporting fellow Americans who are struggling with substance/drinking abuse.
- Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver and arrange for alternate routes home to drive defensively.
- Remind your loved ones how important it is to be responsible and stay safe behind the wheel.
- If you are hosting a gathering, always offer non-alcoholic beverages for your guests so they can still have a good time!
- If you have been drinking, use a ride app/taxi service, or call a friend, or use public transportation to get home safely.
- If you know someone who is about to get behind the wheel while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements.
SEEK THE HELP OF A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another driver, contact our lawyers today. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve.
Don’t deal with the hassle of insurance alone. At McCoy & McCoy, you can find the personalized, experienced, and trial-tested advocacy that you deserve. Please call us today to speak with a drunk driving accident attorney.
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