Safe driving is always a priority, but on nights like New Year’s Eve, there is a heightened sense of responsibility needed from motorists. AAA Western and Central New York encourages motorists to be extra vigilant this holiday season and to celebrate responsibly.

AAA urges drivers not to drink and drive. Instead, still celebrate, but plan ahead with a designated driver, ride sharing, or overnight accommodations.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes each day, which equals one person every 39 minutes. In 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes, a figure that increased 1% from 2021. Responsible actions and proper planning could have prevented those deaths.

AAA provided the following examples of how drinking can affect a 150-pound adult, with the corresponding blood-alcohol content (BAC) level with each example:

After one drink, inhibitions are lowered. A person may be less critical of themselves and others. Judgment and coordination begins to be affected. (BAC: 0.02-0.03 percent).

After two drinks, reaction time will be slower. A person may appear relaxed and friendly. Reaction time begins to slow. (BAC: 0.04-0.05 percent).

After three drinks, judgment is heavily impacted. A person is unlikely to think clearly and may do or say rude or unreasonable things. Reaction time slows down and reasoning is less reliable. (BAC: 0.06-0.07 percent).

After four drinks, hearing, speech, vision and balance are adversely affected. A person may have difficulty enunciating words. As eye muscles become more relaxed, focusing and tracking becomes more difficult. Although the drinker may not be aware of it, reaction time is greatly slowed. (BAC: 0.08-0.09 percent).

After five drinks, most behaviors are affected. Body parts do not seem to work together and speech may be slurred. Performing any task that requires the use of hands and feet is difficult, including walking without stumbling. (BAC: 0.10-0.11 percent).

If a person consumes 12 drinks, a 150-pound person’s blood alcohol content level would be 0.30 percent. At that level, a coma or deep sleep is not unusual. If there is enough alcohol in the stomach when the person passes out, the blood-alcohol level will continue to rise. If the BAC reaches 0.40 percent, they may fall into a deep coma and die.

Drug-impaired driving is also a major concern for traffic safety. With the legalization of recreational marijuana in New York, along with more than half the states in the U.S., many find marijuana more accessible and less prohibitive than in the past. However, it remains illegal to use the drug and drive a vehicle.

AAA research shows that marijuana can impair drivers in a variety of ways, especially if used with alcohol. Marijuana consumers are significantly more likely to speed, text, intentionally run red lights, and drive aggressively than those who don’t, according to data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

“Alcohol, marijuana, prescriptions and over-the-counter medications all lead to impairment and create dangerous, life-threatening situations on our roadways when users get behind the wheel,” said Elizabeth Carey, Director of Public Relations at AAA WCNY. “AAA’s message to drivers: you cannot drive safely while you are impaired. Please plan ahead this holiday season to avoid tragedies and celebrate safely.”