Safety Coach
Beacon of Light
During the holiday season, streets become much busier than usual. Commuters share the roads with people running errands and traveling to visit family and friends. Vehicles crowd parking lots as people flock to stores in search of the perfect gifts. And let’s not forget all the parties!
It’s no wonder crash incidents involving distraction and impairment tend to spike during these periods. Whether it’s heavy traffic, inclement weather or an aggressive driver pushing the limit, you must be alert – and sober – to enjoy all the season has to offer without incident.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports:
- 4,759 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes across the U.S. in December over the five-year period from 2018 to 2022 – that’s more than 950 deaths every year
- People ages 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes in December 2022
- Almost half of drivers (45%) involved in fatal crashes between midnight and 2:59 a.m. in December 2022 were drunk
Share these tips in company communications or on your intranet to help keep your employees and their family members safe this season:
- Plan ahead: If you’re going out, plan ahead for a safe ride home; appoint a designated driver, use a taxi or ride-share service
- Focus on the drive: Silence your phone, set your GPS and pick a holiday music playlist before you depart so you’re not distracted behind the wheel
- Check weather conditions and store hours before you leave your home or office
- Slow down and allow more following distance when the roads are wet or slippery
- Get enough sleep to avoid fatigue while driving
Stress can mimic drug or alcohol impairment by disrupting brain function and memory, and impacting things like decision-making and concentration – all key ingredients in safe driving. How often have you seen drivers fail to use blinkers when changing lanes or fail to yield the right of way at intersections?
Get tools you can use to recognize and respond to impairment or promote mental health and wellbeing from the National Safety Council. Another way to take some of the stress out of the holidays is by continuing to prioritize safety through training and education:
- Sign up for Workplace Impairment Training. This free training can be delivered virtually or in-person. You’ll be guided through realistic scenarios and practice activities to help better equip you to recognize and respond to the many types of impairment.
NHTSA also offers free resources to help with your traffic safety communication and outreach efforts:
‘Tis the season to be joyful. No one wants a crash to spoil the good tidings.
Tailgate Talk
Have Fun, Be Safe
Here are three ways you can participate in National Impaired Driving Prevention Month during the lead-up to the holidays:
Mocktails
If you’re hosting a workplace party or festive gathering with friends, plan for safety. You do not have to serve alcohol to have fun. You can serve mocktails instead. Download and share these recipes (free):
- Non-alcoholic Christmas punch
- Non-alcoholic Christmas Mimosa
- Non-alcoholic White Christmas Margarita
- Spikeless punch and mocktail recipes
Be a Safety Ambassador
Did you know there were 23,851 DUI-alcohol related crashes in Texas last year, resulting in 1,114 fatalities and 2,327 serious injuries? Get free resources from the Texas Department of Transportation to promote safe driving during the holiday season. You’ll find holiday safety videos and print materials here, including:
- 30-second video: Quittin’ Time
- Reindeer poster: Don’t Drive If You’re Lit!
Or, download and display free resources from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to participate in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over winter holiday safety campaign. Many resources are available in English and Spanish, including a social media playbook and graphics to share on your own social media channels.
Make a Safety Connection
Get tools to learn how impairment affects your team and what you can do about it from the National Safety Council.
The new Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration webpage is designed to serve Spanish-speaking communities. Users will be pointed to certified substance use and mental health treatment facilities, certified community behavioral health clinics, opioid treatment programs and healthcare centers across the U.S.
When you help others embrace safety, you also help create safer roads. That’s the best gift you can give!