We are entering one of the most joyous times of the year, but also one of the most dangerous. Many of us attend multiple parties and social events between Thanksgiving weekend and New Year’s Day. Whether we are observing a religious holiday with relatives, visiting a bar with our hometown friends, attending a work party, or celebrating the New Year, many of these occasions involve alcohol.
Since 1986, Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has run a public education campaign to prevent drunk driving deaths on our nation’s roads between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. This campaign, known as Tie One On For Safety®, is MADD’s longest running public awareness campaigns.
What to Do During the Tie One On For Safety® Campaign
MADD suggests different things that you can do to help prevent drunk driving car accidents this holiday season. To participate in the Tie One On for Safety® campaign, you could:
- Always designate a driver who will remain sober before you go out.
- Serve non-alcoholic drinks at your own party or make arrangements for people so that they don’t have to drive while under the influence of alcohol.
- Display a red ribbon to remind others not to drink and drive. You can put a red ribbon on your clothes, on your vehicle, or on your social media accounts.
None of these actions will interfere with your celebrations, and they may save your life or the life of a loved one.
Wisconsin Holiday Season Accidents
According to information from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the years 2012–2016, an average of 52 people die in motor vehicle accidents during the month of November and an average of 34 people lose their lives in motor vehicle accidents during the month of December. Many more people are injured during these months.
This year, we encourage you to enjoy the holiday season safely by taking the precautions described above so that the rest of 2017 and 2018 can be happy and healthy times for you and your loved ones.