Stuart Highlights Impaired Driving Awareness Month

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – In the midst of this year’s holiday season, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is recognizing Impaired Driving Awareness Month by encouraging residents to proactively make plans on how to safely travel if they plan on drinking.

“Every year, too many lives are tragically and needlessly lost due to drunk driving,” said Stuart. “While there may be less travel this year during the pandemic, there will likely continue to be a lot of drinking around Christmas and New Year’s. If you or someone you know plans to drink and travel, please make sure there’s a plan in place to safely use a ride-share service, taxi or designated driver.” 

The Centers for Disease Control reports that between 2009 and 2018, 3,000 people in Illinois died in car accidents involving an impaired driver. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drunk driving causes over 10,000 deaths per year in the United States, about 30 people each day. While drunk driving fatalities have fallen by about a third over the past 30 years, Stuart wants to make sure that people are aware of the dangers of impaired driving and is recommending individuals always have a plan. A plan could be a designated driver, using a ride-sharing app, or avoiding alcoholic beverages in favor of festive non-alcoholic drinks like mocktails. 

“It’s never okay to get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you are impaired,” said Stuart. “This has already been an incredibly difficult year for many families, so let’s all do our part to prevent any future tragedies on the roads.”