Each and every day, people drive drunk almost 300,000 times, but fewer than 4,000 are caught and arrested. (MADD). Drunk driving is a serious problem in our country. There are also times of the year, or seasons, that tend to see an even higher rate of drunk driving incidents. The holiday season is one of those times. People are attending more celebratory events and are consuming more alcoholic beverages at these celebrations. One of the scariest parts of drinking and driving is that you can be responsible and avoid getting behind the wheel when drinking, but that doesn?t stop other drivers on the road. These steps will help you deal with the increased chance of drinking and driving come this holiday season.
Keep an eye out for your friends and coworkers
People sometimes mistakenly estimate their alcohol level. They might have had one too many drinks at a party and insist that they are fine to drive. If you notice a friend or coworker that is planning on getting behind the wheel, insist that they let you drive them home. If you have been drinking yourself, consider scheduling them a cab or other form of transportation. Most people will change their plans if someone else insists that they are not acceptable to operate a vehicle. Not only are you protecting them from needing a DUI lawyer, but you might also be protecting another person on the road.
Be extra aware when driving
Maybe you made the decision to be the designated driver for the holiday party. This doesn?t mean that there will not be other drunk drivers on the road. If you are planning on driving during the holiday seasonal events, make sure you are extra aware of the road. You can usually identify when another driver is either not paying attention or intoxicated. At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving. Both situations are dangerous and should be watched. If you notice any suspicious driving, call the local police, report it, and stay clear of the other vehicle.
Arrange for public transportation
Perhaps you are hosting a holiday party or you are in charge of throwing the office party this year. If you are going to be serving alcohol at your event, be sure to also arrange for public transportation. Guests are more likely to use public transportation is all of the details are already figured out for them. You can also choose to plan your event at a hotel and encourage guests to rent a room for the night. Avoid any drinking and driving situations by offering guests an alternative choice.
Hire the right law firms if involved in an accident
If you are involved in an accident where the other driver is suspected to have been drinking and driving, you will want to hire the right law firms. While there are many law firms that handle drinking and driving, you want an attorney that will not only get you your fair compensation but also work to prevent the driving from harming another person. Drunk driving costs the U.S. $199 billion a year (MADD). This is because many drunk drivers continue to drink and drive. Choosing the right attorneys and law firms will ensure they are properly fined.
There will be many holiday parties this year. This also means that there will be many people that make the poor decision to drink too much and then get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Be safe this holiday season by being more aware of your surrounding on the road, monitoring friends and coworkers drinking at events, arranging for an alternative decision at a hosted party, and hiring the right law firms.