Drunk Driving During the Holidays
The holiday season is here, and with that comes many celebrations. Family gatherings, reunions with friends, office parties, and festivities will soon crowd our calendars. Unfortunately for some, the season of joy will be interrupted by serious injuries when drunk driving car accidents occur.
The United States Department of Transportation estimates that nearly 300 people suffer fatal injuries in drunk driving car accidents each year during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Drunk driving takes more than 10,000 lives each year in our country. Even though drunk driving fatalities has declined over the past decade, drivers that choose to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol continue to put the lives of all those on the road in severe danger.
Responsible Drinking
The holidays bring people together, and when adults celebrate, alcohol is frequently part of those festivities. Wine connoisseurs, craft beer enthusiasts, and even people who do not normally consume alcoholic beverages may indulge more at this time of year than any other season. Adults can enjoy these pleasures without the devastating consequences of drunk driving by being responsible and taking the following precautions.
- Decide who in your party will be the designated driver before you get to the celebration.
- Enlist the services of Uber and Lyft to transport your group home after drinking.
- Be sure to know how your body reacts to alcohol consumption and do not push yourself to the limit of intoxication.
- Ensure that guests at your party have plenty of food available to minimize alcohol consumption.
- Designate a time when you will stop serving alcohol at your party to give your guests time to sober up.
- Find an alternative way to enjoy a celebration without alcohol by planning a game night, cookie exchange, or going to the movies.
- Experiment with non-alcoholic drinks like egg nog or fruit-flavored drinks.
- Keep an eye out on your friends and family and do not let them get behind the wheel if they have been drinking.
- Offer guests a place to sleep or transportation to a hotel to avoid them driving after drinking.
- Know when to stop drinking. Coffee and food will not absorb alcohol, so be sure to stop drinking well in advance of getting behind the wheel.
Penalties for Drunk and Drugged Driving
The laws against drunk and drugged driving have become very strict, and many states have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for drunk driving. Drunk drivers face penalties that include suspension of their driver’s license, hefty fines, and even jail time for repeat offenders.
Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the National Safety Council (NSC) devote their efforts to educating the public on the risks and devastating consequences that result from drunk driving. Being a responsible adult includes knowing these risks and acting responsibly to ensure that all people on the road enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.
New Brunswick Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Represent Victims of Drunk Driving Car Accidents
If you or someone you know has been injured by a drunk driver, call the New Brunswick car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr at 732-537-8570, or contact us online to schedule a consultation today. Our Highland Park, New Jersey offices serve clients in New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayerville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.
