Designate a driver this holiday season Published Dec. 4, 2015 By Air Force Materiel Command Health and Wellness Team WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The holiday season is a time of year when people gather with friends, colleagues and family to enjoy time together and celebrate. Often these social events include alcohol. A driver's license mixed with a few alcoholic beverages can be dangerous. No one intends for alcohol-impaired driving accidents to happen, but they do. "Every single injury and death caused by drunk driving is totally preventable by not driving under the influence," states Steve Callon, AFMC Drug Demand Reduction Manager. "Plan ahead to have a designated sober driver that will drive everyone in your group home safely at the end of the night." Hanscom Airmen Against Drunk Driving was formed to eliminate DUIs/DWIs at Hanscom AFB. The goal of HAADD is to safely return all military members and Defense Department civilians to a base residence if they are unable to drive themselves home. Individuals that choose to drink should plan ahead for a designated sober driver or ride home. "For those organizations hosting holiday parties at the Minuteman Commons, Hanscom Airmen Against Drunk Driving will provide rides as needed to ensure no one takes the unnecessary risk of driving home at Hanscom Air Force Base," said Senior Airman Jordan Phillips, Dorm Council president, who encourages individuals to first have a designated driver plan in place, but if needed, HAADD can provide a ride on base. To learn more about HAADD or to invite a driver to an on base holiday party, contact Phillips at 781-225-6272 or Airman 1st Class Randy Hodgson at 781-225-1811. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,000 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2013. An average of one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality occurred every 52 minutes during 2013. The NHTSA offers the following tips to stay safe and drive sober: · Designate a sober driver before the party begins; plan a way to get home safely at the end of the night. · Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. · If you see someone driving impaired, contact law enforcement with a vehicle description when it is safe to do so. It is your business. Getting drunk drivers off the road saves lives. · Walking while impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home. · If you have been drinking, there is always another way to get home safely. You can call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, or call your local free ride program. Did you know? The worst days of the year for drunk driving are: · New Year's Eve/New Year's Day · The Fourth of July · St. Patrick's Day · Thanksgiving Eve/Thanksgiving Day For Air Force Materiel Command AADD contact information, visit www.AFMCwellness.com.