Stay safe this holiday season: Plan ahead and avoid Drinking and Driving
Eddie Sackey
BA, MEd (Candidate)
As the holiday season approaches, so do more opportunities to celebrate and gather with loved ones. For many, alcohol is a common part of these festivities. While alcohol consumption is often normalized in these settings, it's important to emphasize the need to drink responsibly, especially during this time of year.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows down brain activity. This can lead to a variety of immediate effects, such as impaired judgment, poor coordination, mood changes, and memory and cognitive difficulties. The impact of alcohol varies depending on an individual's biological sex, age, body weight, and overall health. Even the consumption of one alcoholic or two alcoholic beverages can significantly reduce one’s ability to drive safely. Additionally, it can take the body 2 to 4 hours to eliminate a single standard dink.
One critical topic that often goes unaddressed is impaired driving. According to the Ontario Provincial Police, impaired driving charges increased by 6% in 2023. This resulted in there being in 11,142 impaired driving charges, in which there were 67 alcohol-and-drug-related fatalities in 2023. The sad part is that impaired driving injuries and fatalities are entirely preventable. This highlights the importance of planning ahead to separate drinking from driving.
Plan Ahead for Safe Travel
If you’re planning to drink at a holiday gathering, it’s crucial to also plan how you’ll get home without driving yourself. Consider options like:
Using a rideshare app (e.g., Uber, Lyft)
Taking public transit
Utilizing designated driver driving services (e.g. safe arrival)
Having a reliable designated driver
Arranging for a cab service
By making these arrangements in advance, you ensure both your safety and the safety of others on the road.
As we celebrate with friends and family this holiday season, let’s commit to reducing the risk of impaired driving. Whether it’s through a designated driver, public transit, or a rideshare app, we each have a role to play in keeping our roads safe. By taking simple precautions, we can significantly reduce alcohol-related accidents and fatalities, ensuring that the holidays remain a time of joy.
Designated Driving Service Resources:
Ontario Designated Driving Services:
Website: https://ontariodesignateddrivers.com
Phone Number: 1-855-U-GO-HOME
Ride Home: Designated Driving Service
Website: https://ddadd.ca
Phone Number: 647-501-7433
SafeArrival (Southwestern Ontario Region)
Website: https://safearrival.ca
Phone Number: 1-888-804-9094
Safe Designated Driver
Website: https://safedesignateddriver.com
Phone Number: 1-855-421-0671
Keys to Us
Website: http://www.keystous.ca
Phone Number: 905-213-9090
References
Cleveland Clinic. (2021, December 3). How long does alcohol stay in your system? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-long-does-alcohol-stay-in-your-system
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Alcohol’s effects on the body. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body
Ontario Provincial police.(n.d.). 2023 Annual Report. (https://www.opp.ca/index.php?lng=en&id=115&entryid=6724d7465104bd385d0f5323