The holidays are a time when you can see your friends and family. They can also be a time when people are at a greater risk of getting DUIs. Why? It’s more likely that people will go to parties, bars and events where alcohol is present.
This year, it’s important to think about how drinking could negatively impact you. If you decide to drink and drive, you could end up being pulled over and accused of drunk driving or get involved in a crash that leads to serious injuries or deaths.
Halloween is a hazard for drivers and passengers
Halloween is one of the holidays where drinking can be prominent. Between 2015 and 2019, it was found that 126 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night. The risk of crashing and injuring yourself or others is increased due to the likelihood of Trick-or-Treat events happening around your area. For that reason, it’s best to stay home if you decide to drink or to get a sober ride home.
Watch out for Blackout Wednesday
Between 2014 and 2018, 47% of those between the ages of 21 and 34 who were involved in fatal car crashes on the night before Thanksgiving were impaired by alcohol. The Thanksgiving holiday is a common time for drunk drivers to be on the roads, so it’s essential to make sure that you and your friends and family avoid driving if you have had too much to drink.
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve all pose a risk to drivers
Thanksgiving Day may include a dinner with friends and family where alcohol is present. The same may be true of the Christmas holiday and New Year’s Eve or Day. To avoid crashes and to be sure that you and your loved ones make it through the holidays unscathed, now is the time to discuss the risks and to take steps to make sure you always have somewhere safe to stay if you’ve been drinking. Whether you plan to stay the night or have a sober driver pick you up, you can help make sure fewer impaired drivers are on the road.
If you are arrested for a DUI, remember that you can take steps to defend yourself. Prevention is often a better choice, so consider finding yourself a sober ride.
