December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month; this is a month dedicated to raising awareness about the consequences of driving while under the influence. It’s vital that you and your family celebrate safely both during the holiday season and all year long. According to the CDC, “[e]veryday, 28 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver” and between 2003 and 2012, “2,912 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver in Michigan.”

AA Muffler and Brakes encourages everyone to avoid driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Here are some tips to help you stay safe this holiday season:

Be prepared. Before you attend any holiday party, assign a designated driver. This should be a person you trust to refrain from consuming any drugs or alcohol during the party so that you both have a sober driver. Assigning a DD before the party clears up any confusion about who will be driving everyone home and eliminates any possibility of you or your friends being in a situation where you don’t have a sober driver.
Friends don’t let friends drive under the influence. Take away the car keys if you see that a friend is impaired. Try to find them a sober ride home, either with a friend or a taxi service like Uber. You can arrange for them to pick up their car the next day, once they’ve sobered up.
Host Responsibly. If you’re the host of a holiday party this year, be sure to remind your guests to have a designated driver before arriving, provide alcohol-free beverage choices for your DD guests, and don’t let anyone leave without a sober driver. If you have a guest who is impaired by either drugs or alcohol, don’t let them drive home. Call them a cab or let them stay the night on your couch.

Drugged driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving, and just as with drunk drivers — you should never get in a car with a driver you think may be under the influence. Be safe this holiday season and all year round. Take these preventative measures and check out the CDC for more information about how to avoid driving while under the influence.