As Memorial Day weekend approaches, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is leading a crucial national conversation on the risks of impaired driving on the road, on the water and at summer events. Below are four timely tips:
1. Impaired driving increases on Memorial Day: Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer and a spike in impaired driving crashes. In 2022, drunk driving claimed 215 lives, accounting for 43 percent of all traffic fatalities, during the Memorial Day holiday period, according to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, or NHTSA. MADD is launching its “Safe Summer” campaign to prevent impaired driving, protect teens, and keep families safe on the roads and waterways.
2. Boating under the influence poses serious risks: Memorial Day kicks off boating season, but what readers might not know is that boaters are likely to become impaired faster than drivers, thanks to motion, sun, vibration and engine noise, which intensify alcohol’s effects. Alcohol is the leading factor in fatal boating crashes, accounting for 17 percent of all boating fatalities in 2023, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The same dangers apply to recreational vehicles like jet skis, ATVs and golf carts. Impaired operation of any vehicle – on land or water – can have tragic consequences.
3. Teen drivers face increased crash risks: With the school year ending and summer festivities under way, crash risks for teen drivers increase. On average, each year, more than 1,000 people are killed in crashes involving teen drivers between Memorial Day and the start of the school year, according to AAA. Between 2010 and 2019, more than 7,000 people died in teen driving-related crashes during the summer months. MADD urges parents to talk with their teens about the dangers of underage drinking, substance use and impaired driving. These conversations aren’t easy, but they’re essential. MADD’s Power of Parents Handbook is a proven resource for parents, offering practical strategies to start these lifesaving conversations.
4. Summer festivals and concerts can fuel impaired driving: Summer concerts and festivals often bring increased alcohol and drug use and with it, a greater risk of impaired driving. Nearly 60 percent of concert goers report using alcohol or drugs at live music events, and many gatherings are held in remote areas with limited transportation options. The party atmosphere can mask how impaired someone truly is, leading to dangerous decisions behind the wheel. MADD urges attendees to plan ahead for a safe ride home and look out for friends.
