The holidays are a time for merriment, but the accompanying increase in alcohol consumption by revelers can have horrific results. In the five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, 40% of fatalities on the roadways will be caused by a drunk driver. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says that during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, chances of dying in an alcohol-related crash more than double.
Crashes involving drunk drivers kill more than 10,000 people a year on US roads. During this holiday season, the likelihood of being a fatality in a drunk driving crash rise significantly. More than 1,000 people are expected to die in drunk driving accidents this year.
Here are some strategies to enjoy a safe holiday season this year:
- Plan Ahead – Designating a sober driver means one person in your group abstains. It doesn’t mean determining who has had the least to drink at the end of the night.
- Know Your Limits – More than one drink an hour will put most people over the limit. Also remember that alcohol continues to affect you long after you’ve consumed your last drink. Be particularly careful of mixed drinks or punches, as they often contain more alcohol than people think.
- Have a Backup Plan – Have extra cash and store numbers from local cab companies or download ridesharing apps before a night out, so you have a safe ride home if you or your designated driver have too much to drink.
- Watch Your Guests – Having a party in your home may seem like a reason to let your hair down, but in some instances a host can be held responsible for a guest who leaves inebriated. Watch for friends and family who’ve had too much and help them find a safe way home.
- Be Aware – Even if you make the safest plan possible, there will be many impaired drivers on the roads this season. If you spot someone driving erratically, call the police. You may save their life, or someone else’s.
The Tow to Go Program from AAA and Bud Light is another option to get home safely and it’s free. According to the website, the AAA tow truck takes the vehicle and the driver home. The service is offered in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee and runs from December 24 at 6 a.m. to January 2. Call (855) 286-9246.
Drive safely this holiday season, and remember, if you or a loved one has been a victim of a drunk driver’s negligence, the services of a personal injury attorney will allow you to seek restitution for the damages caused.
Sources:
Alarming Stats Show Holiday Drinking an Issue for Many, prnewswire.com, 21 Nov 2014
The Truth About Holiday Spirits, niaaa.nih.gov, Dec 2014
The Sober Facts of Holiday Drinking and Driving, drivingschool.net 17 Nov 2014
Drinking and Driving Rises During the Holidays, addiction-intervention.com
