On December 11, 2025, Harris County Commissioners Court recognized December as Impaired Driving Prevention Month and underscored a sobering reality: more than 30% of deaths on Harris County roads involve alcohol. With the holidays bringing more celebrations (and more risk), the message is simple and urgent: impaired driving is preventable—and the choices we make save lives.
Wrong-way driving is a deadly warning sign
Wrong-way crashes are especially devastating because they are often high-speed, head-on collisions—and research consistently ties many of these incidents to impairment. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that 60% of wrong-way drivers in fatal wrong-way crashes showed indications of alcohol involvement, and that most wrong-way collisions occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The Federal Highway Administration also notes that a substantial percentage of wrong-way drivers are impaired by alcohol.
A KHOU 11 investigation in February 2025 found that in the last 10 years, 111 people have died in wrong-way crashes in Harris County. Even as deaths dipped slightly to 14 last year, injuries climbed—233 injuries in a year, the most since at least 2015.
A community-led solution spotlight: Spikes for Anthony
One Houston family turned loss into action through Spikes for Anthony, an initiative advocating for life-saving wrong-way countermeasures—including spike strips, wrong-way detection systems, and other technologies. Their site also shares Houston-area crash figures and emphasizes that every number represents a preventable tragedy.
What you can do right now
AAA and other safety partners recommend practical steps that reduce risk—especially during holiday travel:
Plan your ride before you go (designated driver, rideshare, taxi, or a sober friend).
If you’re driving, don’t drink. If you’re drinking, don’t drive.
If a wrong-way driver approaches: slow down and move as far to the right as possible, then pull over when safe and call 911.