CADILLAC — December is National Impaired Driving month.
According to the Michigan State Police annual statewide crash report, nearly 9,000 crashes in 2023 involved alcohol, all of which were above the legal limit.
The holidays are a time for celebrating with friends and family, sometimes that celebration involves alcohol. If it does, there are a few things you can do to stay safe on the roads, so you don’t see flashing lights in your review mirror.
First, there is no such thing as buzzed. If you are feeling buzzed, you are advised not to get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Services like Uber and Lyft are available for you to order rides.
Hosts should watch out for ‘over-serving’ guests at holiday events. If you plan on attending the festivities, plan ahead to name a designated driver if you know you’ll be drinking.
Michigan State Police said impaired driving is never worth the risk.
“Impaired or drunk driving definitely is not worth it, the cost of Uber or anything like that would be much cheaper,” said MSP trooper Matthew Yeagley.” You can face criminal charges, fines and license suspension. If you’re involved in a crash that causes injury, there’s a whole civil aspect of the possibility of lawsuits and other things that go along with that.”
There will be an increased police presence on the roads throughout the holidays to curb drunk or high driving.