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Stay Safe This Holiday Season

November signals the official start of the holiday season and, unfortunately, the rise in drunk driving incidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 40% of traffic related deaths during the holidays are the result of drunk drivers. Between 2-3x more people die in alcohol-related crashes between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than any other time of the year.

More than 54 million people traveled 50 or more miles from home for Thanksgiving 2018. Combined with 16% of adults who admit to drinking more than usual during the holidays, you have a recipe for disaster.

What can you do?

Plan ahead for a safe ride +

Designate a sober driver, plan a ride-share pick-up, or enter contact information for a cab into your phone before heading to the party.

Add alcohol-free recipes to your menu +

There are lots of tasty, festive alcohol-free drink recipes to try and share. We’ve included a few below, and there are tons more on the web.

Host a safe party +

Many states have “social host liability” laws that hold the party host responsible for injuries that occur as a result of providing alcohol to guests. Have alcohol-free choices available, serve plenty of food, display numbers for local cab and ride-share companies, and – most importantly – don’t be afraid to intervene. If a guest has too much to drink, take the keys and call a sober driver for them.

Holiday Mocktails

Cardinal Punch
A sophisticated and fizzy blend.

Get Recipe
Winter Wassail
A warm and comforting hot cider.

Get Recipe
Moette Punch
A sweet and creamy drink.

Get Recipe

Thanksgiving officially kicks off the Holiday travel season.

Last year, AAA projected that 54.3 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more away from home for Thanksgiving. This year, that number is expected to climb. Here are some tips to get through this seasons hustle and bustle.

Turkey Traffic Jam Tips

Pack early +

There’s nothing worse than getting to your destination and realizing you forgot to bring that specific pair of shoes, or a winter jacket for colder weather. Avoid last minute packing to ensure you start off your trip worry-free.

Plan-ahead for delays +

Whether it’s highway traffic or long security lines at the airport, give yourself ample time to get where you need to go.

Fuel Up +

If you’re driving, fill your tank before heading out to your destination. If you do run into traffic, you’ll be glad knowing you’re not running low on fuel.

Pack Snacks +

Flying can interrupt our normal meal schedule. Packing healthy snacks can serve as a pick me up during delays. Stay hydrated and avoid drinking too much caffeine, as it could make you more tired in the long run.

Stay Alert +

If you’re driving long distances, take turns driving with other passengers. If you’re driving alone, plan to stop at rest areas along the way to get out and stretch.

Drowsy Driving Prevention

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drowsy driving is related to at least 100,000 motor-vehicle crashes and more than 1,500 deaths per year.

Drowsy driving is preventable if the right steps are taken ahead of time.

Before getting behind the wheel, ask yourself if you’re alert enough to drive safely.
If you’re noticing any of the warning signs such as yawning, being unable to keep your eyes open, missing turns or signs, or drifting into other lanes, safely pull over or stop at a rest area.
Taking a short nap or having caffeine may give you a short-term boost.
If you know you can’t make it home safely, call a friend or ride share service to come pick you up.

AAA.Com/DrowsyDriving