Sherwood Ford Presents: The Dangers of Impaired Driving During the Holiday Season

How to plan ahead to prevent impaired driving during the holidays

This is true throughout the year, but with so much travel happening between now and the new year, extra caution is required to ensure that you’re keeping yourself safe and sound on the road during the holidays. Impaired driving isn’t just getting behind the wheel after a couple drinks; it’s also a danger if you’re suffering from sleep deprivation, all too common when people are on the go, trying to make it to their next store for holiday shopping or next party with the family.

That’s why our Sherwood Ford team wants to help you out – yesterday, we were able to attend an event at Ford Hall in Rogers Place with Ford of Canada, the Edmonton Police Service, City of Edmonton, and Edmonton Oilers. It’s here that we learned some helpful tips about how to plan ahead to prevent impaired driving during the holidays. Come with us today as we show you what we found.

Ford Canada Impaired Driving Event Highlights

At this event, Oilers alum Jason Strudwick helped to introduce Ford’s “Impaired Suit,” a full body suit that illustrates the effect of drunkenness and fatigue on the human body, especially as it relates to operating a vehicle.

One of the most striking things we learned is that driving drowsy or fatigued is the leading cause of 1 in 5 vehicle accidents, and drowsy driving is just as bad as drunk driving. A big factor behind this is what’s called a “micro-sleep,” where your body will drift in and out of consciousness in an attempt to recharge itself. This can be a huge hazard when you’re in traffic, so it’s important to keep yourself well-rested if you’re about to take a long journey.

Tips to take to stay safe on the road during Christmas and New Years

If you think you’re not good to go as far as getting behind the wheel, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Always have a designated driver, and if you have to make the trip yourself, make sure you’re getting plenty of rest, and have some coffee (or other sources of caffeine) during your drive to help you stay awake.

Click here to read more about a similar Impaired Driving event we attended in 2016

Our Sherwood Ford team would like to thank everyone who helped to put on this event – we hope you all stay safe and sound during the holidays, and from all of us, have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!