Kelli Rumpza: As holiday season nears, celebrate responsibly

With Thanksgiving arriving, we kick off the holiday season. Friends and family will be traveling to holiday festivities or seasonal vacations, college students will be coming home, holiday parties are planned, and then there's just the bustle of holiday shoppers.

With more drivers on the roads during this busy time of year, it’s more important than ever for us to practice safe driving habits. Unfortunately, the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is one of most dangerous times on roadways due to an increase in impaired and distracted driving.

According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, during the 2020-21 holiday season (Thanksgiving through New Year’s), there were 499 vehicle crashes in South Dakota. When on the roads this holiday season, remember that seat belts are your best defense against a distracted or impaired driver.

Holiday celebrations, often times involving alcohol, are as common as decorating the house and shopping for bargains. Many adults celebrate by enjoying a couple drinks, but unfortunately some choose to drive while under the influence.

Last year, the Watertown Police Department reported 21 DUI arrests during the month of December. According to the Department of Public Safety, in 2020 there were a total of 52 alcohol- and drug-related crashes and 22 cellular and distracted driving crashes in Watertown alone.

Keeping everyone safe, especially our children, is the driver’s responsibility. Driving impaired is not safe or acceptable, especially with children in the car. An impaired driver makes the choice to drink and drive, or text and drive, or use drugs and drive. However, children have little choice of whether to ride with an impaired driver when the driver is a parent or caregiver.

Children are perceptive and are more influenced by our actions than our words. While our society and media often sends the message that alcohol is the key ingredient for good times, help our youth understand that you can have a good time without it as well. If you drink, don’t drink too much or too often.

Responsible drinking guidelines suggests “one standard drink for women and two standard drinks for men a day.” A standard drink equals 12 ounces of beer/seltzer; 5 ounces of wine; 1.5 ounces of liquor. Remember, it is not enough just to count your drinks. It’s also important to pay attention to the size and alcohol content of your drinks.

It’s critical that drivers understand the significance of impaired driving and the tragic consequences.

What are some key concepts to keeping ourselves and loved ones safe during this holiday season?

• Never drink and drive – plan ahead and designate a sober driver before celebrations begin.

• Don’t serve minors.

• Drive within the posted speed limit.

• Always wear your seat belt and ensure all passengers are properly buckled.

Please celebrate the season responsibly and enjoy your friends and family. The Watertown Healthy Youth coalition along with the Watertown School District and local law enforcement agencies want everyone to be safe during this holiday season.

Kelli Rumpza is prevention specialist at the Human Service Agency in Watertown.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Kelli Rumpza column As holiday season nears, celebrate responsibly