Drinking during the holidays? Don't drive!

Dec. 17, 2025

By Mary Wade Burnside

The winter solstice is a few days away. The day officially ushers in winter, although we’ve already gotten a taste of it in Monongalia County. And while the days will technically start getting longer, it will still be pretty dark in the mornings and evenings.
The shorter days and wintry weather make for additional challenges when it comes to driving.
And depending on how merry and bright someone plans to be, transportation arrangements might need to be made for those who plan to add alcohol or other substances to their holiday celebration menu when they leave their home.
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, and there are several reasons to highlight the dangers motorists face not only year-round, but especially in the dark, snowy days when people are gathering for parties and get-togethers.
According to the National Safety Council’s website, two of the deadliest days of the year for car accident victims are Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, with alcohol sometimes being a factor. The NSC also estimates that about 131 people might die in car wrecks during the holiday Nationwide, in 2022, alcohol-impaired fatalities, in which a driver’s blood-alcohol level was 0.08 g/dL or higher represented 32% of the total traffic fatalities, the NSC information continued.
During the 2021 Christmas Day holiday period, 38% of fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
Members of the Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT), which was organized using grants obtained by Monongalia County Health Department, work to reduce opioid use in the area among area residents, and they also help out individuals fighting different kinds of substance use disorders.
Of course, not all impaired drivers have long-term dependency issues. But, if help is needed, peer recovery support specialists from West Virginia Sober Living, a primary partner in the Monongalia County QRT, can help connect individuals with services and counseling. Call 304-602-3305 to reach the WV PEERS.
Most adults know that if they might be consuming alcohol at a party or an event, they should either designate a driver in the group, take a taxi or an Uber or plan to stay overnight. Hosts should offer plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks, and also remain sober enough to ensure that everyone has a safe plan to get home.
It’s also incumbent on parents with teen or young adults kids to impress upon them the importance of doing the same.
SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services) has a website devoted to how to talk to your kids about this issue in the “Talk. They Hear You” underage drinking campaign.
Here are five primary tips:
Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse.
More than 80 percent of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink.
Show you care about your child’s health, wellness and success.
Young people are more likely to listen when they know you’re on their side. Reinforce why you don’t want your child to drink or use other drugs. Be open and show your concern.
Show you’re a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs.
You don’t want your child to learn about alcohol and other drugs from unreliable sources.
Show you’re paying attention to help discourage risky behaviors.
Young people are more likely to drink or use other drugs if they think no one will notice.
Even if you don’t think your child wants to drink or try other drugs, peer pressure is powerful. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they’ll say “no thanks.”
Taking the time to educate your kids — and yourselves — about staying safe will help the entire community have holly, jolly holidays.

Mary Wade Burnside is the public information office at Monongalia County Health Department.