The holiday season is a joyous time filled with family fun and festive parties but it’s also a time with considerably more drivers on the road. Along with the uptick in travelers there’s also an increased possibility of people driving under the influence.
Tis the Season for Accidents
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are about 36 drunk driving deaths each day in the US, but that number has a dramatic rise during holiday months. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day there’s an average of 45 drunk driving deaths each day.
This time of year is somewhat of a perfect storm for accidents, more people are traveling, celebrations include alcohol, and roads are often icy or wet.
Staying Safe
First things first, never drink and drive. Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving. If you plan on drinking at an upcoming holiday party, plan ahead and decide on a designated driver before taking your first sip.
It’s also important to know how to recognize an impaired driver. Common signs of impairment can include:
- Drifting, weaving or swerving
- Erratic braking
- Reacting slowly to traffic signals
- Making wide turns
- Accelerating or slowing down too quickly
- Failing to turn on headlights at night
- Driving in the middle or the wrong side of the road
Impaired driving isn’t caused solely from being under the influence, distracted driving is also a major issue.
Other vital safety measures include driving defensively and always wearing your seatbelt.
Recovering From An Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured at the hands of a drunk driver you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help you through the legal process. At McCoy, Hiestand & Smith we hear you.
