From Mothers Against Drunk Driving:
The time period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day includes some of the most dangerous days for drunk driving deaths, and the national numbers are getting worse in recent years — as annual drunk driving deaths have decreased, there has been an increase in the proportion of drunk driving deaths around the holidays. On average in 2010, 31 percent of highway fatalities were caused by drunk driving. However, fatalities spike dramatically over the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays:
- The proportion of people killed in drunk driving crashes (.08 BAC and above) over the Thanksgiving holiday (includes the day before and the weekend following Thanksgiving) spiked by 30 percent in 2010* compared with the rest of the year.
- The proportion of drunk driving deaths over the Christmas holiday (includes Christmas Eve and the surrounding holiday weekend) in 2010 increased by 14 percent compared with two years prior.
- New Year’s Day is the single most dangerous day of the year, with 78 drunk driving deaths in 2010 — an 178 percent increase over an average day.
“These aren’t just numbers to those of us at MADD SF Bay Area who see on a daily basis the heartache and devastation caused by drunk driving crashes. These are family, friends, co-workers and neighbors,” said Jody Iorns, MADD San Francisco Bay Area. “That’s why we’re urging Bay Area residents to Tie One On For Safety and plan ahead for a sober designated driver if they’re going to celebrate with alcohol.” Here are some quick links for you:
- Plan a Party: http://www.madd.org/drunk-driving/safe-party/
- Alternative Rides home: http://www.madd.org/local-offices/ca/bay-area/planning-ahead-ride.html
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