A public service announcement graphic by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Graphic provided
The holiday season is known for being merry and bright, but it is also known for being a dangerous season when it comes to speeding and impaired driving. That is why law enforcement agencies from across the state are teaming up to promote Safe Family Travel.
The campaign started the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and will continue through New Year’s Day. During the campaign, law enforcement agencies from across the state are conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols designed to discourage impaired driving and promote seat belt use, according to to public advisory message from Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, or ICJI.
The campaign is funded with grants provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, and administered through ICJI.
The holiday season is one of the busiest travel times of the year and millions of people hit the road annually. With more people on the roadways, there is a greater potential for crashes, data shows.
NHTSA data shows that nationwide, 13,384 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved alcohol-impaired drivers in 2021. This represented 31% of all traffic fatalities in the United States for the year, and a 14.2% increase from 2020.
Officers will be on high alert through the holiday season. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, so they can get home safely from their holiday events by designating a sober driver or by using public transportation or a ride service, ICJI officials said.
It is also important to prioritize seat belt safety throughout the holiday season. Surviving your holiday drive this year — and making it to the next holiday season — can be as simple as buckling up. In the last decade, seat belts saved the lives of more than 100,000 people in the United States, data shows.
Drivers are also encouraged to put away distractions and follow posted speed limits. They should also check road conditions before each trip so they can leave with plenty of time to reach their destination safely, ICJI says.
Motorists are encouraged to call 911 if they encounter an impaired or unsafe driver on the road.
For more safety tips, visit nhtsa.gov/risky-driving.
