Many fear driving during the holidays, study says. It’s not because of weather
Most people are worried about their safety on the roads while traveling for the holidays, a study found, but it’s not because of what you might think.
The study, done by DriversEd.com, found that 66 percent of Americans “don’t feel safe on the roads” during the holidays. Researchers found that 62 percent of Americans are more concerned about drunk drivers than they are about “hazardous road conditions.”
The study surveyed 1,037 people ages 18 and older, with 940 participants saying they have a driver’s license.
And researchers found that concerns about drunk drivers are valid.
November through January are some of the deadliest months on the road, the study says, and 25 percent of people say they drink more alcohol during the holidays than usual.
Of those who plan to drink at holiday office parties, 11 percent answered that they planned to drive themselves home, the study found, and 21 percent will rely on a designated driver while 16 percent will use a rideshare company.
Of those who plan to drink on New Year’s Eve, 7 percent admitted that they plan to drive themselves home, the study found, while 21 percent will ride with a friend or family member and 18 percent will use a rideshare company.
Sixty percent of those surveyed said it’s safe for them to drive if they have just one drink.
Additionally, drunk driving kills about 30 Americans each day, the study says, and that number increases during the holiday season.
“In 2016, 781 people died in drunk driving crashes between Christmas and New Year,” the study says.
Researchers recommend not drinking and driving at all, planning your way home ahead of time and not taking a ride from someone who is impaired, the study says.
It’s also important to be aware of how medication can impact driving ability as some can cause impairment behind the wheel, the study says. Those taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs like cold or allergy medication should talk to their doctors about how they could affect driving.
This story was originally published December 23, 2019 at 3:39 PM.
