By: Lakeview Health
December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. At Lakeview Health, we offer addiction treatment programs for you or a loved one ready to recover from substance use disorders. Use this month to make a real change in your life and contact our Florida location for information about our recovery services.
Somewhere in the vicinity of 30 people die in drunk driving crashes every day. That’s more than one death an hour, and some estimates put the losses even higher. Drunk driving prevention efforts can reduce the billions of dollars that alcohol-related crashes cause every year.
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month celebrates life and staying alive over the holiday season. This is a time when friends and family members come together to enjoy the holiday cheer. Unfortunately, that often means drinking or using drugs.
Federal and state agencies are fighting to prevent driving under the influence. You can join the effort by making responsible decisions and helping friends do so as well. If you go out as a group, designate a sober driver. If you already have a history of drunk or drugged driving, consider inviting a few friends to a restaurant that doesn’t serve alcohol. This can prevent a relapse if you’re already living in recovery.
Consider holding a sober event to promote drunk and drugged driving prevention over the holidays. If you want to stop drinking but need help, find out more about alcohol addiction treatment in Jacksonville, FL.
When Did National Drunk and Drugged Driving Month Begin?
Starting in 1981, officials across America began promoting December as a month to stay sober and refrain from using drugs. This drunk and drugged driving prevention effort spreads awareness of the rising number of fatalities resulting from driving under the influence.
In May 1980, a young teenager named Cari Lightner was killed by a drunk driver. The driver was a repeat offender who had a hit-and-run fine from a week before he struck the young girl. However, drugged and drunk driving was just a misdemeanor, meaning the drunk driver might not even get a jail sentence.
Cari Lightner’s mom decided to take action. Candy Lightner started Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). She and other members of the organization fought for stricter legislation that included license suspension and jail time for drunk drivers. The group also fought to raise the legal drinking age in every state to 21, which then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan did.
Preventing Accidents Due to Drunk and Drugged Driving
Follow these tips to ensure you and your friends arrive alive this holiday season:
- Plan to use public transportation or rideshare services to get home if you want to drink.
- Designate a sober driver to pick you up and take you home.
- If possible, arrange to stay overnight if you plan to celebrate with mind-altering substances over the holidays.
- Do not let friends drive if they have had too much to drink.
- Offer to call a rideshare company.
At Lakeview Health, we have programs tailored for specific addictions. For example, seeking help in a prescription drug addiction treatment program can help you work toward long-lasting, drug-free living.
Reach Out to Lakeview Health Today
Lakeview Health has men’s and women’s detox centers that help clients rid their bodies of drugs and alcohol. Give yourself the gift of a sober holiday to contribute to drunk and drugged driving prevention. Don’t let the New Year begin without making a permanent change that can protect you and other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the roadways.
Reach out to us online or call us at [Direct] to find out more about drug and alcohol addiction treatment in Florida. Additionally, we provide dual diagnosis treatment for clients with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health issues.
