December Is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month: What Drivers Need to Know

If you’ve spent more than five minutes driving through the Hill Country in December, you already know—traffic gets a little wilder than usual. Holiday parties, end-of-year celebrations, family gatherings… it’s a festive season, but it also ramps up the number of impaired drivers on our roads.

That’s exactly why December is recognized as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a nationwide effort to shine a spotlight on the very real dangers of driving under the influence—and how we can all make safer choices.

Here in Central Texas, where winding backroads meet busy highways, impaired driving isn’t just risky—it’s a recipe for disaster. And as an independent agency that’s seen the claims side of this issue many times, we at Dowd Insurance Agency want to help keep our neighbors safe, protected and informed.

The Reality: Impaired Driving Is Still a Serious Threat

Let’s break down a few eye-opening statistics from national safety data:

• Nearly 14,000 Americans lose their lives every year due to impaired driving crashes.
• In the U.S., someone is killed or injured in a drunk-driving crash every 39 minutes.
• The average impaired driver has driven drunk around 80 times before their first arrest.
• Overall, someone is killed or injured by an impaired driver every 78 seconds.

It’s sobering data—and a reminder that impaired driving is still one of the deadliest preventable risks on the road.

What This Means for Drivers in the Hill Country

The combination of rural roadways, limited lighting, and long distances between holiday events can make impaired driving particularly dangerous across Central Texas. Add in unpredictable December weather, and the risks multiply.

From an insurance standpoint, impaired driving doesn’t just put lives at risk—it leads to:

• Higher premiums, both community-wide and individually
• Long-term financial impacts, including surcharges and possible non-renewal
• Potential lawsuits, medical bills, and liability claims
• Loss of coverage in certain severe cases

Protecting yourself isn’t just about having the right auto insurance—it’s about making choices that keep you out of dangerous, life-altering situations.

How to Stay Safe (and Keep Your Rates Steady!) This Holiday Season

Here’s the good news: just a little planning can dramatically reduce impaired driving crashes.

✔ Plan ahead for holiday gatherings
If you know there will be drinks, decide on a sober ride before you leave home.

✔ Use a designated driver—or rotate among friends
One sober buddy per weekend can literally save lives.

✔ Consider a rideshare
Even out in the Hill Country, scheduling ahead with Uber or Lyft can be a game-changer.

✔ Don’t let friends drive impaired
It may feel awkward to take someone’s keys, but it’s a whole lot less awkward than calling their family from the ER.

✔ Talk to your teens and young adults
They’re out late, they’re social, and they may not fully understand the consequences. A quick conversation can go a long way.

Let’s Keep Central Texas Roads Safe—Together

As an agency deeply rooted in the communities of Central Texas, we believe prevention is a shared responsibility. When everyone makes responsible choices, we see:

• Fewer accidents
• Fewer claims
• More stable insurance rates
• And most importantly—more families whose holiday season stays joyful instead of turning tragic

This December, let’s commit to celebrating responsibly and keeping impaired driving off our roads.

If you ever have questions about auto insurance, liability coverage, or what protections you actually have behind the wheel, the team at Dowd Insurance Agency is always here to help.