National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

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National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is a joint effort between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The purpose of this initiative is to promote safe driving during the holidays. Families, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders can come together to promote awareness about drunk driving. By working side-by-side, everyone can encourage individuals and groups to make responsible decisions before getting behind the wheel. We can teach young people about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Defining Impaired Driving

During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, it is vital to define impaired driving and how to identify it. When a person drinks too much or uses certain types of drugs, it affects their ability to operate a vehicle. Their senses or ability are impaired, and they no longer have a sense of judgment. Driving while impaired is also known as distracted driving, drugged driving, and drunk driving. When someone has been drinking too much or suffers from alcohol abuse, they often do not realize how drunk they are. If someone tries to deter them from driving, they may try to defend their ability to operate a vehicle. As a result, they get in the car and have an accident that results in an injury or fatality. If you or a loved one are suffering from alcoholism, reach out to the alcohol addiction rehab program in Utah before it’s too late.

Why National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is Important

On average, over 30 million Americans drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. SAMHSA statistics include:

  • 13.2% of people over the age of 16 drive drunk

  • 11.4% of people over the age of 16 drive under the influence of drugs

  • 25 people die in an alcohol-related accident during the holidays

  • Young adults are among those with the highest risk of driving impaired

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is also a way to help parents and other adults to discourage anyone under 21 from drinking or taking drugs. Family addiction counseling programs in Utah provide a way to communicate about alcohol abuse.

Cracking Down on DUIs in the U.S.

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month aims to educate the public on the risks of impaired driving by teaching statistics and state laws. As a result of the rise in alcohol or drug-related accidents, all 50 states impose a minimum drinking requirement of 21 years. Also, every state except Utah has a legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of .08%. Utah’s limit is .05%. Nearly 30 states require the use of an ignition interlock device for all first-time offenses. Many states also require offenders to attend DUI classes and/or AA meetings depending on the offense. The legalization of marijuana has also caused lawmakers to enact THC laws related to driving. In short, states are cracking down on driving impaired in the U.S. Contact Acqua Recovery for addiction treatment programs to prevent relapse.

Get Help During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

If you or a loved one has a problem with alcoholism or drug addiction, you can reduce the stigma by learning more through National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Acqua Recovery offers several addiction treatment programs in Utah to help you overcome addiction and stay clean. To find out more about your treatment options, call us today at 866.830.4628. We can help you avoid impaired driving and get on the road to recovery.

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

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Dr. Daniel Pickrell

Dr. Daniel Pickrell
Medical Reviewer

Dr. Pickrell is a board-certified psychiatrist with interests in addiction and psychiatry. He strives to identify the underlying cause of substance use. His understanding of addiction as the overlapping symptoms of biopsychosocial development is the foundation to his care model. He is committed to helping both patients and families understand that addiction is a treatable medical illness. He has been involved in the treatment of addiction for the last 17 years and completed his residency training at the University of Utah.

By: Acqua Recovery

Posted Date: Jan 28, 2023

Updated Date: Nov 6, 2024

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is a joint effort between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The purpose of this initiative is to promote safe driving during the holidays. Families, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders can come together to promote awareness about drunk driving. By working side-by-side, everyone can encourage individuals and groups to make responsible decisions before getting behind the wheel. We can teach young people about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Defining Impaired Driving

During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, it is vital to define impaired driving and how to identify it. When a person drinks too much or uses certain types of drugs, it affects their ability to operate a vehicle. Their senses or ability are impaired, and they no longer have a sense of judgment. Driving while impaired is also known as distracted driving, drugged driving, and drunk driving. When someone has been drinking too much or suffers from alcohol abuse, they often do not realize how drunk they are. If someone tries to deter them from driving, they may try to defend their ability to operate a vehicle. As a result, they get in the car and have an accident that results in an injury or fatality. If you or a loved one are suffering from alcoholism, reach out to the alcohol addiction rehab program in Utah before it's too late.

Why National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is Important

On average, over 30 million Americans drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. SAMHSA statistics include:

  • 13.2% of people over the age of 16 drive drunk

  • 11.4% of people over the age of 16 drive under the influence of drugs

  • 25 people die in an alcohol-related accident during the holidays

  • Young adults are among those with the highest risk of driving impaired

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is also a way to help parents and other adults to discourage anyone under 21 from drinking or taking drugs. Family addiction counseling programs in Utah provide a way to communicate about alcohol abuse.

Cracking Down on DUIs in the U.S.

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month aims to educate the public on the risks of impaired driving by teaching statistics and state laws. As a result of the rise in alcohol or drug-related accidents, all 50 states impose a minimum drinking requirement of 21 years. Also, every state except Utah has a legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of .08%. Utah’s limit is .05%. Nearly 30 states require the use of an ignition interlock device for all first-time offenses. Many states also require offenders to attend DUI classes and/or AA meetings depending on the offense. The legalization of marijuana has also caused lawmakers to enact THC laws related to driving. In short, states are cracking down on driving impaired in the U.S. Contact Acqua Recovery for addiction treatment programs to prevent relapse.

Get Help During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

If you or a loved one has a problem with alcoholism or drug addiction, you can reduce the stigma by learning more through National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Acqua Recovery offers several addiction treatment programs in Utah to help you overcome addiction and stay clean. To find out more about your treatment options, call us today at 866.830.4628. We can help you avoid impaired driving and get on the road to recovery.

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