It’s no surprise that the news outlets are beginning to report out on the expected increase in impaired driving during the holidays – and the increase is law enforcement aimed to crack down on it. December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, as proclaimed by President Trump this year and former President Obama last year, which serves as a reminder of the consequences of drunk driving.

Someone Dies Every 50 Minutes

As per a White House press release, “On average, every 50 minutes, a person in the United States dies in a vehicle crash involving alcohol. […] During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we reemphasize that impaired driving is never acceptable.”

Billions in Annual Costs

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that over 10,000 people die in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol every year, to the tune of a staggering $44 billion in associated costs. And then there are the greater number of people injured but who survive these wrecks, and are left holding a bag of medical bills, time spent recovering in the hospital, and in some cases the physical and emotional burden of a life changed permanently.

South Carolina’s ‘sober or Slammer’ Campaign

As on July 4, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, we can expect South Carolina law enforcement to increase DUI patrols at Christmastime, with a focus on arresting drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or some other substance, like prescription drugs.

South Carolina law enforcement’s “Sober or Slammer” campaign, which aims to combat impaired driving, starts this week, as WTOC News reports: “Pretty much every street in this town, I’ve been able to locate an impaired driver. I mean, they’re everywhere,” said one police officer.

Injured in an Alcohol- or Drug-related Crash?

The reality is that at least a few South Carolinians will be injured or worse in impaired-driving crashes this holiday season. If you are tempted to drink and drive, or drive under the influence of another substance, please don’t. If you or a loved one are injured in a crash, call the Columbia personal injury attorneys of Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC.

Call (803) 888-2200 or contact us online – we do all we can to help our clients get through some of the most difficult times of their lives.