Tangu Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia Supports National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that an average of 300 people died annually in drunk-driving-related crashes since 2013. A total of 781 people lost their lives in this fashion in December 2016 alone.

With this in mind, Tangu Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia is supporting the National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Annually, this event is observed during the month of December. And while this month is more commonly associated with the holidays, it is also a good time to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving.

While people all over the world are enjoying themselves, they are more exposed to alcohol and oftentimes, other substances. This makes the holidays one of the most dangerous seasons to be a driver or a passenger on the roads.

NHTSA’s 2013-2014 National Roadside Survey revealed that 20 percent of nighttime weekend drivers tested positive for drugs. Those struggling with drug addiction in Atlanta are encouraged to seek treatment for drugs. The proportion of marijuana-positive drivers involved in fatal crashes increased from 8 percent in 2013 to 17 percent the next year. This is according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. It is worth noting that there is no definitive answer to why the number of marijuana-positive drivers increased during that time period.

The National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is a campaign that highlights the consequences of impaired driving. It reminds all drivers that drunk and drugged driving is considered impaired driving. Not only does it put the driver at risk, but it also endangers everyone sharing the road.

Tangu Inc. supports the National Impaired Driving Prevention Month because it goes in line with their own goals as one of Georgia’s premier rehab facilities: save lives by treating addiction. Tangu Inc. offers outpatient addiction treatment for alcohol and drugs.

It is a CARF-accredited multi-counseling service that provides quality substance abuse services in Atlanta. The company uses a variety of methods like residential partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs.

Tangu Inc. also encourages prevention efforts to prevent road accidents related to substance abuse. This is especially important when it comes to youth.

Lawmakers and enforcement officials are uniting under the National Impaired Driving Prevention Month’s message to enact and toughen laws related to impaired driving. Even though every state has a law that addresses alcohol and drug-impaired driving, those that deal with drug impairment are difficult to enforce. This is due to the uncertainty over how to best determine impairment.

In terms of state laws related to alcohol-impaired driving, every state except Utah has established a legal blood alcohol concentration limit of .08 percent. But starting December 30, Utah’s BAC will be set at a level of 0.05 percent.

Additionally, a total of 29 states require the use of an ignition interlock device or IID for all first time DUI offenders. In 2018, Idaho and Iowa enacted an all-offender ignition interlock law.

Drivers can benefit from understanding state laws and penalties pertaining to impaired driving, especially now that the holidays are near.