As Missourians prepare to celebrate the New Year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving reminds everyone that drunk driving crashes and fatalities are still on the rise.
Tabitha Perkins, the organization’s state executive director, told Missourinet that impaired driving is the most preventable death on the roadway—because it’s a choice.
“Right now, every day an estimated 37 people are killed by an impaired driver,” said Perkins. “That breaks down to every 39 minutes somebody is killed by an impaired driver throughout the day.”
Perkins said that impaired driving isn’t just about alcohol.
“It involves TCH and or other illegal substances and prescription drugs,” said Perkins. “With the heavy partying that will be going on on New Year’s Eve, we could have more crashes, we could have more injuries and sadly, we could have more families impacted by a fatality.”
Perkins told Missourinet that Lyft is offering a special promo in the Kansas City area on New Year’s Eve.
“They are giving $30 off for promo code in the Kansas City area, so that’s pretty much a free ride,” said Perkins. “All it takes is for you to plan your budget every night that you go out, especially on New Year’s Eve. We highly encourage you to save 30 to $50.00 that evening and press the button on your phone and have a car come and pick you up.”
Perkins says MADD is encouraging bars to serve alcohol responsibly and ensure anyone who appears impaired has a safe way to get home.
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