Despite fewer drivers on the road this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, states in America have tracked a disturbing uptick in many risky driving behaviors.
To address this, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and its members, the state highway safety offices (SHSOs), have joined with federal officials, MADD and the International Association of Chiefs of Police to shine a spotlight on the threat of impaired driving and remind motorists to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Drive High, Get a DUI.
The annual holiday national impaired driving mobilization — a partnership between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), states, law enforcement and other highway safety partners —runs through New Year’s Day.
“Our members and partners across the U.S. are sending the strong message that driving after consuming too much alcohol and other impairing substances is unacceptable and has made the winter holiday season one of the deadliest times on the road,” said GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins.
According to NHTSA, an average of 300 people have died each year in drunk driving crashes between Christmas and New Year’s Day over the last five years.
“Campaigns like this are critical due to the growing incidence of multi-substance impaired drivers and increasing legal access to marijuana and other drugs in many states,” he added.
