DELAWARE - As the New Year approaches, AAA is reminding drivers and passengers of the elevated dangers on the roads during this period, particularly on New Year's Day, which consistently records a high number of alcohol-related traffic deaths.
Recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data revealed trends, showcasing December 2021 as witnessing the highest number of drunk driving fatalities in nearly 15 years, with 1,013 lives lost in that month alone and 4,561 fatalities recorded between 2017 and 2021.
“According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 13,384 people died in drunk driving crashes in 2021,” said Jana Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “With many people celebrating the New Year and then getting behind the wheel after a night of drinking, January 1 is a particularly dangerous day on the roads. Even one death is far too many to be lost from a completely preventable crime.”
In its annual Traffic Safety Culture Index the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 94 percent of drivers perceived driving after drinking alcohol as very or extremely dangerous, and 68 percent of respondents believed such a driver would be likely to be apprehended by police. However, 7 percent of drivers admitted to engaging in this behavior within the past 30 days.
To promote safety during New Year’s celebrations, AAA Mid-Atlantic offers advice including:
- Designate a sober driver in advance.
- Avoid driving after consuming any alcohol.
- Refrain from being a passenger in a vehicle driven by someone who has consumed alcohol.
- Prevent impaired individuals from driving by intervening if necessary.
- Store ridesharing/local cab contacts in advance.
- Encourage responsible hosting by providing alcohol-free options and promoting safety.