The Christmas season is the time to see friends and family, plan the visits you don’t have time for throughout the year, and make memories that last forever. Unfortunately, the combination of traveling and celebrating means that impaired driving is a big problem during the holiday season. Even if you drive safely and stay sober, you could be at risk of a drunk driving accident as you celebrate the holidays.
If you or someone you love is hurt in an impaired driving accident, don’t wait any longer to get the legal support you deserve. Call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-300-2754 to set up a meeting with one of our personal injury attorneys.
Drunk Driving is a Huge Issue on American Roads
It’s no secret that impaired driving is a significant issue in the United States. This country’s impaired driving rates soar above those found in other similarly developed nations, even with educational and public health efforts to convince people to do the right thing. As a result, even on a normal day, you are at risk of being hit by a drunk driver while going about your business.
This risk only increases during the holiday season. Whether you’re planning on traveling out of state to see loved ones or staying close to home, you must be on high alert.
Holidays Are a Bad Time to Be on the Road
Why are impaired driving accidents such a common problem during the holiday season? Consider this: everyone is driving more than they do throughout the rest of the year, so the roads are already more dangerous. People are getting together with close friends and family, which often means having a few drinks to celebrate and unwind.
Unfortunately, people don’t always make safe driving plans when they do decide to drink. Even with the availability of taxis and rideshare services, a shocking number of people decide to take their chances and get behind the wheel of a car.
MoneyGeek reports that all major holidays in the United States put you at greater risk of a drunk driving accident. The most dangerous holiday for a DUI is New Year’s Eve. The risk of being involved in a fatal drunk driving accident is 116% above the seasonal average on this day. Following that, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Labor Day are also especially dangerous.
How to Protect Yourself During the Holiday Season
While you can’t control how other people drive, you can be proactive about your approach to holiday safety. First, commit to staying sober whenever you have to drive. If you aren’t sure how you’ll get home after a night out, either skip the drinks entirely or put a plan into place before you have your first drink. If you’re sober, you’ll be in a better position to avoid an erratic impaired driver if you encounter them on the road.
You should also be careful about where you go during the holiday season and when you’re on the road. If there’s a part of your town known for its bars and clubs, make sure you’re home before the nightlife really gets started for the evening. As the night progresses, there will be more and more impaired drivers trying to find their way home. This is particularly important on weekends, which is when drunk driving crashes tend to spike.
If you are going out during a dangerous time, consider skipping out on driving completely. Rideshare services are relatively cheap, giving you an easy way to get to the bar and a simple way to get home. Plan ahead, though, if you plan on using a rideshare service on New Year’s Eve or another busy night. Demand drives prices through the roof on these nights.
Hold your friends and family members accountable this holiday season. If you know someone is planning to drive themselves home and you see them drinking more than they should, don’t be afraid to take them to the side and ask about their plans. Keeping impaired drivers off of the road makes everyone safer.
Choose Reeves & Mestayer for Your Car Accident Claim
Decreasing impaired driving is everyone’s job. By keeping yourself safe, limiting your road time during the holidays, and calling out those who plan on driving unsafely, you can protect yourself and your loved ones. If you are hurt in a holiday crash, we’re here to help. Call us at 228-300-2754 or get in touch online.
