Yang Rohr Highlights National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – As part of her continued commitment to public safety, state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, is taking National Impaired Driving Prevention Month as an opportunity to raise awareness of the fatal consequences of alcohol- and drug-impaired driving.

“The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it can quickly turn deadly when people drive impaired by any substance,” Yang Rohr said. “This month, we honor the lives needlessly lost due to impaired driving by making the responsible decision to drive sober and encouraging others to do the same.”

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired driving played a role in more than 10,000 crash deaths nationwide. Illinois had 938 fatal crashes related to alcohol-impaired driving during the holiday period in 2019. Alcohol, illicit drugs and even some over-the-counter medication can impair a driver’s judgment and decrease the coordination and reaction time needed to safely operate a vehicle. Impaired driving increases during holidays, making December an important time to acknowledge and prevent this issue.

“Deaths involving impaired drivers are tragic and completely preventable,” said Yang Rohr. “Through simple, responsible behaviors, we can end impaired driving and make our roads and communities safer.”

If you or a loved one drinks or use drugs, make sure to designate a sober driver or use a taxi or rideshare service to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. For more driving safety tips, visit https://bit.ly/JYRsafedriving.