During the holidays, DUI rates go up due to increased drinking, travel, and celebrations.
Knowing holiday DUI statistics helps raise awareness about holiday drunk driving.
Here, we go over the causes, dangers, and practical tips for drunk driving prevention so you can make better, safer choices this season.
Key Holiday DUI Statistics You Should Know
The holiday season brings a spike in holiday drinking and driving.
December is one of the most dangerous months on the road.
In 2022, 1,062 people lost their lives in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in December, the highest number of deaths in over 15 years.1
New Year’s Eve and Christmas are the most risky, as celebrations lead to an increase in holiday drunk driving.2
These stats remind us to raise awareness and focus on drunk driving prevention to keep the roads safer this time of year.
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Why Do DUI Rates Spike During the Holidays?
There are several reasons why Arizona’s DUI statistics are dangerously high during the holidays, making this time of year more dangerous on the roads.
Knowing these reasons can help you learn how to prevent drunk driving and keep you and your loved ones safer:
- More Drinking: Celebrations often mean more drinking, and some people overestimate their ability to drive.
- More Travel: People visit friends and family or go to vacation spots. With more people on the road, the risk of holiday drinking and driving goes up.
- Less Transportation Available: Public transportation and rideshare sometimes aren’t available during holidays and especially late at night, so impaired people will often try to drive themselves.
- Party Atmosphere: Many people get into a “let loose” mode during the holidays and take more risks, including drinking and driving.
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The Dangers of Drunk Driving During the Holidays
Drunk driving puts lives at risk, resulting in accidents, injuries, and fatalities that destroy families and communities.
Beyond the loss of life, drivers may face serious legal consequences like arrest, fines, and jail time if convicted of a DUI.
With courthouses closed during the holidays, getting arrested on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve can leave you stuck in jail for days, missing out on precious time with your loved ones.
These consequences impact the community; that’s why drunk driving prevention is so important to keep everyone safe this season.
Quick Tip
Make a Plan for your Holiday Traveling
How to Stop Drunk Driving This Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time for celebrating with friends and family, but it’s also a time when DUI incidents tend to increase.
Planning ahead and making thoughtful choices can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.
Whether you’re hosting or attending gatherings, a few simple steps can help lower holiday DUI statistics and protect lives:
- Use Rideshare: Get a ride to and from parties.
- Designate a Driver: Have someone stay sober to drive.
- Host Sober Events: Plan events that don’t include alcohol.
- Encourage Responsible Drinking: Provide non-alcoholic drink options and promote smart choices.
These will help prevent drunk driving and make this holiday season happier.
Community and Law Enforcement Efforts to Reduce Holiday DUIs
The community and police are working to lower holiday DUI stats and make your roads safer.
More frequent sobriety checkpoints and public awareness campaigns like MADD during the holiday season will remind drivers of the risks of impaired driving.
MADD’s “Tie One On for Safety“ campaign encourages you to tie a red ribbon on your cars to show that you’ll be a sober driver during the holidays.3
More patrols and stricter enforcement stop people from drinking and driving, save lives, and help everyone have a safer holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do DUIs go up during the holidays?
DUIs go up during the holidays because of more drinking at parties, more people on the road, and less public transportation. These factors make impaired driving more common, and when holiday DUI stats go up, everyone on the road is at risk.
What are the consequences of holiday drunk driving?
Holiday drunk driving can mean serious accidents, injuries, and death. You can face DUI charges, huge fines, and even jail time if found guilty. And with courts closed during the holidays, an arrest can mean that you spend days in custody, missing out on time with your loved ones, and creating long-term legal and financial problems.
How do you prevent holiday drunk driving?
You can prevent holiday drinking and driving by having a designated driver, using a ride-share, and promoting responsible or sober partying. Hosting a dry event or encouraging sober options at parties can reduce the risks and keep your community’s roads safer.
Key Takeaways
- Key Takeaways
- DUIs go up during the holidays because of more drinking and travel.
- Holiday drunk driving is serious, it brings about accidents, deaths, and legal trouble.
- Preventing drunk driving requires planning, moderation and community awareness.
- Law enforcement and community programs help to make your roads safer.
- Recovery programs can help those struggling with addiction make safer choices.
Prioritize Your Safety and Seek Support This Holiday Season
Arizona’s holiday DUI statistics show us how important it is to take the steps to prevent holiday drunk driving and protect yourself and others.
The holidays can be an overwhelming time if you’re dealing with stress, addiction, or struggling with your mental health.
If you or your loved one need support this season, we’re here to help you.
Cornerstone Healing Center offers DUI services, alcohol addiction treatment programs, and mental health resources that can guide you through this season safely and confidently.
Prioritize your safety and happiness, and please get help if you need it.
Make this holiday season one to remember for the right reasons.
