The fall holiday season can be a wonderful time for many of us; we get to enjoy the company of loved ones and indulge in delicious holiday cooking. However, get togethers often include alcoholic drinks, and a day of celebration can quickly turn into a moment of tragedy.
That’s why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds us, “Don’t Wreck the Holidays”. Don’t make the mistake of getting behind the wheel after a “couple” of drinks.
Your local Rio Grande Valley legal team at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys wants to make sure that you and your family thoroughly enjoy the holidays, so we suggest the following steps to keep you and your family safe throughout the season:
- Determine, prior to heading out for a celebration, who the designated driver will be.
- Be a responsible designated driver and do not have even one drink.
- If a designated driver is not possible, then use public transportation, a cab, or a service like Uber.
Car Wrecks Statistically Increase During the Holiday Season
During the holidays, 2 to 3 times more people die in alcohol-related crashes, with 40% of traffic fatalities involving a driver impaired by alcohol. Days to be extra vigilant while behind the wheel include:
Blackout Wednesday
The four-day Thanksgiving holiday period sees the most overall fatal car crashes, accounting for more than 400 deaths each year. One of the biggest drinking days of the year is known as Blackout Wednesday. The combination of closed businesses, college students spending some extra time home, and a higher than usual number of people on the road as they travel to spend time with family members, makes Blackout Wednesday one of the most deadliest days for traffic accidents.
Christmas Eve & Day
As Christmas Day tends to be more about spending time with family and friends, there usually isn’t a major statistical increase in the number of drinking and driving related traffic accidents. More people are staying put and less people are out on the roads. However, Christmas Eve does see a 33% increase in DUI-related traffic stops usually as a result of drinking that takes place at holiday parties.
New Year’s Eve
Sadly, the holiday that represents a fresh start and new life also sees the highest number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities, with more than 42% of traffic accidents on this day happening as a result of drinking and driving. There’s also a 155% jump in violations for DUI offenders on New Year’s Eve.
The reasons behind the surge in alcohol-related accidents vary and include an increase in teens who are out of school and who are more likely to engage in risky behaviors and create problems on the road. There’s also the general celebratory theme of the winter holidays, and people who usually don’t drink may be more likely to engage in alcohol consumption, then drive without recognizing their low tolerance has affected them heavily.
The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction states that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day 1,200 people will be killed and 25,000 will be injured in traffic accidents caused by alcohol.
J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys wants you to play it safe and be extra careful during the holiday season.
The fall and winter holidays are some of the best days of the year because we get to relax and enjoy some well-deserved time off with our loved ones. That’s why we want you to share this information with friends and family to ensure you stay safe during these busy days.
However, if you or a loved one is unfortunately involved in any sort of car accident during the holiday season, don’t hesitate to contact us at 956-630-6700 to get the justice you deserve.
