Kenny Napravnik, a senior communication studies major, said he lost his best friend, a fellow Eastern student, in 2010 in an alcohol-related car accident.

“You never think that someone you are so close to can be gone within a second,” he said. “She had so much ahead of her and it’s sad that she’s not here because of drinking and driving. Unfortunately, it’s so common for students to drink and drive, because you think anywhere you would need to go is so close that there is no way anything bad can happen. All it takes is one quick mistake and your life changes.”

Dec. 1 marks the beginning of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.

December is one of the most notorious months for arrests, accidents and deaths involving alcohol or other drugs because of a heightened amount of parties, social gatherings and other holiday celebrations.

On a daily basis, nearly 36 people are killed and another 700 are injured in drunk driving accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives. However, even if a person is not driving, he or she is still at risk.

Corey Norton, the substance abuse education coordinator at the Health Education Resource Center, said a law exists of which many people are not aware.

“It’s called ‘Allowing a drunk driver to drive,'” he said.

According to the Illinois state law, knowingly permitting a driver under the influence to operate a vehicle has a risk of a Class A misdemeanor with possible imprisonment of up to one year and fines up to $2,500.

“You can be arrested right along with your friend who is getting a DUI if you get pulled over,” Norton said.

Jeremy Richey, a Charleston attorney, said, in 2010 there were 337 DUI cases filed in Coles County.

Richey said he advises those who are older than 21 to not drink at all if they are getting behind the wheel.

“My advice is that if you are going to drive, don’t have anything at all to drink,” he said. “Most people have a horrible lack of really understanding the gauge of the .08 limit. People think they are OK and they’re not.”

College students are especially at risk for alcohol-related crashes.

1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including vehicle crashes, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Norton said he also advises people to not take their chances when it comes to alcohol and driving.

“Just don’t do it,” Norton said. “Just over Halloween, we lost four young lives. Be smart and make the right decision.”

Because of the large amount of driving involved during the holiday season, some helpful tips have been provided by the NHTSA.

If planning a holiday party, they suggest selecting a designated driver in the invitation. Also, offering non-alcoholic drinks and providing a designated driver or taxi can be highly effective in reducing risks.

“You shouldn’t play the game,” Richey said. “If you are going to drive, have zero drinks. It needs to be that simple.”

Brittany Floyd can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].