WHEREAS, December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, The season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America’s roadways due to an increase in impaired driving; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 300 people died in drunk driving crashes during the Christmas through New Year’s holiday in the United States; and

WHEREAS, According to NHTSA, in 2020 there were 11,654 people killed in drunk driving crashes nationwide; and

WHEREAS, In 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths according to the NHTSA; and

WHEREAS, Alcohol abuse is the fourth leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; and

WHEREAS, The financial burden of alcohol misuse costs the United States an estimated $249 billion per year; and

WHEREAS, NHTSA estimates that drunk driving crashes cost the United States $68.9 billion annually; now, therefore, be it