National Impaired Driving Prevention Month: The Statesville Police Department Urges Everyone to Stay Safe and Sober

Every December, the Statesville Police Department joins law enforcement agencies across the country in recognizing National Impaired Driving Prevention Month - a time to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence and to remind everyone that safe roads begin with responsible choices.

Impaired driving doesn’t just mean alcohol. It includes any substance - legal or illegal - that affects your ability to drive safely, including prescription medication, over-the-counter drugs, or marijuana. Even small amounts can slow reaction times, blur vision, or cloud judgment - and those split seconds can mean the difference between getting home safely and tragedy.

The Real Impact

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every day in the U.S., about 37 people die in drunk-driving crashes - that’s one person every 39 minutes. These are not just numbers. Each one represents a friend, a parent, a child, or a neighbor whose life was cut short by an entirely preventable decision.

Locally, the Statesville Police Department sees firsthand how impaired driving affects our community - not only through crashes but through the ripple effect on families, friends, and emergency responders.

Do Your Part

This holiday season - and year-round - we encourage all drivers to take a stand against impaired driving. Here’s how you can help keep our roads safe:

✅ Plan ahead. If you know you’ll be drinking, line up a designated driver, call a rideshare, or use public transportation.

✅ Host responsibly. If you’re throwing a party, offer non-alcoholic drink options and help guests get home safely.

✅ Don’t mix substances. Combining alcohol with prescription or recreational drugs greatly increases impairment.

✅ Report dangerous driving. If you see a driver you suspect is impaired, call 911. Your call could save a life.

A Message from the Statesville Police Department (SPD)

Impaired driving is 100% preventable. One wrong decision can have lifelong consequences - but one smart choice can save a life. Let’s work together to keep Statesville’s streets safe this holiday season and beyond.

Drive sober. Drive alert. Drive responsibly.

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