Every day in the United States, almost 30 people die in an alcohol-related crash—that’s one death due to drunk driving every 50 minutes. This New Year’s Eve, make sure you don’t become part of that statistic by avoiding drinking and driving. Read on to find out why it is important to stay sober to keep our roads safe.

The Dangers of Driving Drunk

When you drink alcohol, your body absorbs it quickly and directly into your bloodstream. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your judgment, reaction time, vision, coordination, balance, and other cognitive skills needed for safe driving. The more alcohol you consume, the higher your risk of being involved in a car accident due to impaired driving.

Drinking and driving is incredibly dangerous because it puts not only yourself but also everyone else on the road at risk. The effects of drunk driving can be devastating; people who drive under the influence are more likely to get into an accident or cause serious injury or death than those who make the responsible choice not to drive while intoxicated.                                                                                                                                    

A Safer Alternative

There are several alternative options available if you plan ahead before going out for New Year’s Eve festivities. Take public transportation or ask a friend or family member for a ride home—ideally, someone who has not been drinking or taking drugs themselves. You can also find rideshare services like Uber and Lyft that will take you where you need to go safely at any time of day or night. If all else fails, call a cab! It will cost a bit more than driving yourself, but it’s always better than risking your life and those around you on the roadways.

This New Year’s Eve, don’t let tragedy ruin what should be a night of celebration! Before heading out for the evening festivities, plan ahead so that if you do end up drinking alcohol, then you have transport arranged beforehand, so there is no temptation to drive while under the influence. Help keep our roads safe this holiday season by choosing not to drink and drive! Make sure this new year begins with safety and good judgment rather than tragedy. Happy New Year!