Two to three times more people die in alcohol-related vehicle crashes during that time than during comparable periods the rest of the year, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says. And 40% of traffic fatalities during winter holidays involved an alcohol-impaired driver, compared with 28% for other dates in December.
Fueling the underage drinking problem, especially at this time of the year, is "a combination of greater access to alcohol, less parental oversight and mixed messages" about celebrating with alcohol, Delany says. Young people are told "don"t drink, don"t do that, but in every third commercial in recent weeks, we see something linked to alcohol and drinking," he says. And there"s also the issue of "what kind of message parents may give," Delany adds. "Maybe they"re drinking a lot. Kids see that it"s OK." What is needed is a long-term message "that underage drinking is not OK," he says. "But adolescents don"t do well with "Just say no." We have to find ways to help young people make good decisions."