Prosecutor Brent Eaton
HANCOCK COUNTY — Local law enforcement agencies want to remind holiday travelers to be safe and smart while driving over the Christmas and New Year break. In the United States, statistics show someone dies from a drunk driving collision every 52 minutes.
Officials note while over 43% of drivers involved in fatalities tested positive for drugs, the vast majority test positive for alcohol use. Other stats show eight people die from texting and driving every day and approximately 3,000 people die in crashes caused by distracted drivers each year.
“These statistics should serve as a sobering reminder that drugged, drunk and distracted driving kills,” Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton said.
This December, Eaton is urging every member of the community to be aware of these dangers, to have conversations about them and to take steps to reduce the rate of drugged, drunk and distracted driving.
Since 1981, December has been recognized as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month and Eaton wants people to keep that in mind.
Officials note that attitudes toward drugged, drunk and distracted driving have shifted measurably since 1981 when it was rare for a drunk driver who caused a fatality to face any jail time.
However, when Candace Lightner’s 13-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver in 1980, Lightner began a lifelong pursuit for safer roads, founding Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). The MADD program has successfully worked to change drunk driving laws and educate the public regarding the dangers of drinking and driving.
“Her efforts have had a huge impact,” Eaton said. “Today, laws are stricter, BAC limits are lower and there is a tremendous amount of information about the dangers of drugged, drunk and distracted driving disseminated.”
Statistics show that 13,384 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2021 – about half of what it was in 1980. However, any life lost to these preventable causes is one too many as far as Eaton is concerned.
“While the public attitude has shifted, more remains to be done,” Eaton said. “Vehicle fatalities resulting from drivers who are drugged, drunk or distracted are not accidents — they are completely preventable crimes.”
The National Safety Council Alcohol, Drugs and Impairment Division found for single-vehicle fatal crashes, every .02 increase in blood alcohol concentration led to twice the number of drivers involved in crashes. The risk triples with a BAC of .05, officials said.
A recent December 2022 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found 56% of drivers involved in serious crashes tested positive for drugs, alcohol or other stimulants. In 25% of those drivers, the presence of cannabinoids containing THC were also found; alcohol was found in 23% of the drivers, stimulants in 11% and opioids in 9%. In 18% of injury crashes and 32% of fatalities, drivers were found to be “poly drug” users, indicating the presence of two or more substances.
The NHTSA and Centers for Disease Control also found 14% of all fatal car crashes involve drivers distracted by a cellphone. Drivers who text and drive are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car crash, officials said.
The number of fatalities from drugged, drunk and distracted driving increases on major holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s Day, making December a month drivers need to make good decisions when getting behind the wheel.
“This month is supposed to be about spending time with family and friends and making memories of the holiday season,” Eaton said. “But for the families of those killed by distracted drivers, the holidays will never be the same.”
Eaton is offering tips and urges drivers to pay attention to the steps to be safer on the roadways. The tips include, if you plan to drink, plan ahead for a ride home and designate a sober driver or call a ride share service or taxi.
People should be aware of the impact drug use – even some prescriptions – can have. Never drive if you’ve used any illegal drug. Read the warning label on your prescriptions to see if the medicine could make you sleepy.
Never text and drive. People underestimate the impact of taking their eyes off the road – even for a second. Turn your phone off while driving or set your GPS ahead of time. Pull off the roadway if you must use your phone, officials said.
“A crash resulting from drugged, drunk or distracted driving can negatively impact lives forever,” Eaton said. “I urge everyone to examine their habits, make needed changes and stay safe on the roadways this holiday season.”
