The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and its safety partners are reminding motorists of the importance of driving sober this holiday season.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), an estimated 81.1 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period from November 25 to December 1, 2025. This projection is an increase of 1.6 million people compared to last year and approximately 90% of these travelers are expected to use cars.
“The holidays are a time for celebration with family and friends, but they are also one of the busiest travel times of the year. With more cars on the road, it is even more important for everyone to take responsibility for keeping each other safe by never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” said Maggie Nunley, a Regional Program Administrator with the Pennsylvania DUI Association. “When we make smart, safe choices, it could save a life. Don’t let this holiday result in tragedy.”
Alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs impair a driver’s coordination, judgment, and reaction times, while substances like cocaine and methamphetamine can increase aggression and reckless behavior.
“Even prescription and over-the-counter medicines can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision – all similar side effects to when someone consumes alcohol or illegal drugs,” said Mike Tautin, a Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator with the Highway Safety Network.
Drivers should read and follow all warning labels and note any that warn against “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a vehicle.
Between November 28, 2024, and January 1, 2025, Pennsylvania recorded 11,658 crashes resulting in 6,333 injuries and 91 fatalities. Of these, 1,164 crashes involved drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, leading to 809 injuries and 31 deaths.
To help keep impaired drivers off the roadway, local and state law enforcement officials are participating in the holiday impaired driving campaign that began on November 19, 2025, and runs through January 1, 2026.
Drivers can expect to see police officers participating in high-visibility enforcement activities, including roving patrols and sobriety checkpoints, to help prevent crashes and fatalities.
PennDOT offers these additional tips to prevent impaired-driving crashes:
- Plan a ride home in advance.
- Use a ride service like Uber or Lyft.
- Stay overnight instead of driving.
- Don’t allow your friends or family to drive impaired.
Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtags #BeSafePA, #PASafeHoliday, and #DriveSober.
For more information on impaired driving, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/safety.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.pa.gov/DOTDistrict1.
Find PennDOT news for the northwest region on X or Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT: Olivia Schwab, 814-678-7175 or oschwab@pa.gov
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