In years past, we’ve posted a number of blogs here on driving safety on New Year’s Eve. As we head into 2025, we’ve decided it’s worth repeating ourselves on the subject of safe driving—especially when it comes to alcohol consumption!
Everyone knows the dangers of getting behind the wheel after alcohol consumption. There are a number of variables that factor into a person’s level of impairment after drinking. These may include a person’s body weight, overall health, and level of rest as well as the amount and type of food and/or medication he or she may have ingested prior to or while drinking. If you have a cold or are low on sleep, your level of impairment from one drink will be greater than if you are perfectly healthy and well-rested. And be aware that if you are on cold or any other type of medication, you should not drink at all! Bearing all this in mind, you may find referencing a blood alcohol percentage chart like the one at https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/blood-alcohol-level-chart to be helpful. Just remember, there is some degree of impairment after just one drink. Never trust your own ability to judge whether or not you are sober enough to drive. In fact, over the years, many have come to the conclusion that any amount of alcohol consumption should prevent you from getting behind the wheel.
So, if you are going to drink this New Year’s Eve, designate a sober driver, put Uber on speed dial, plan to spend the night with a friend, or skip the travel altogether and party at home. If you do end up driving on New Year’s Eve, drive defensively, and focus on safe driving habits. The weather is expected to be nice, so our roadways should be dry, but don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security. Nice weather may mean more revelers outside and traveling to and from parties. Let’s all watch out for one another. Expect that some drivers will be impaired and drive accordingly.
It’s not just alcohol consumption that can affect your ability to drive on New Year’s Eve. As we go to parties and celebrations, we often get less sleep, and lack of sleep can be as dangerous as driving under the influence. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 100,000 accidents reported to the police each year are actually the result of driver fatigue. And that’s just the accidents that are reported and that have been clearly determined to be the result of driver sleepiness. Since there is no test to measure sleep deprivation as there is for intoxication, and since self-reporting is unreliable, the number of accidents that are actually the result of sleep deprivation is likely much higher.
Surprisingly, sleep deprivation can impair our brains as much as alcohol or drugs can. Like alcohol, it can impact judgment, coordination, and memory and increase reaction time. In fact, a study in Australia showed that people who had been awake for 18 – 24 hours had an impairment level equal to those with blood alcohol concentrations of .05 – .10. A person with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 is considered legally drunk.
So, as you get ready to celebrate this New Year’s Eve, make an effort to get plenty of sleep before heading for that party, and don’t stay out too late. The longer you’re out, the more likely you are to be affected by sleepiness. If you’re tired when it’s time to head home, get someone else to drive, hire an Uber, or take a brief nap—even if it’s in your car. It may just prevent you from getting in an accident. And if, despite your best efforts, you do get in a crash, come to one of the Accident & Injury Chiropractic clinics near you.
From all of us at Accident & Injury Chiropractic, have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve!