Sobering Facts About Thanksgiving And Drunk Driving Accidents

Thanksgiving is a time for getting together with family and friends. There is typically an overabundance of food but also the temptation to overindulge in alcohol. This makes it one of the most dangerous times of the year in terms of drunk driving car accidents. The following are sober facts about the problem and tips to protect yourself and your loved ones.

The Facts About Drunk Driving Car Accidents Over Thanksgiving 

According to statistics from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), close to 1,000 people are killed in DUI-related crashes in Florida each year. These crashes are particularly common over Thanksgiving weekend. While the focus is on gathering with family and friends, a lot of alcohol can end up being consumed.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that it typically starts the day before, which is often referred to as Blackout Wednesday. Some have taken to jokingly dubbing the actual day as ‘Danksgiving’, which refers to the tendency to self-medicate with either alcohol or drugs before, during, and after the meal. The fact is that this leads to an increased risk of drunk driving, which is definitely no laughing matter. Even having just one or two drinks can end up having serious impacts on your driving ability. Among the dangerous effects include:

• Reduced judgment, impacting your ability to accurately gauge speed, the distance you are traveling, when to apply the brakes, how sharp to turn the wheel at curves in the road, and how close you are to other drivers;
• Lack of coordination, impacting your ability to check rearview mirrors, brake, turn the steering wheel or perform other driving tasks;
• Vision impairments, which increases the likelihood of blurred or double vision, particularly at night;
• Increased drowsiness, making it more likely for you to momentarily nod off or fall completely asleep while driving.

Protecting Yourself Against Drunk Driving Accidents

The National Safety Council (NSC) warns that with so many people driving to visit loved ones over the holidays, car accident rates in general tend to spike. Close to one third of all U.S. traffic deaths over the weekend can be directly attributed to drunk driving. To protect yourself and those you love, follow these tips:

• Do not get behind the wheel if you have had any amount to drink;
• If you are hosting a holiday gathering, avoid over serving guests;
• If you go out and plan on drinking, arrange in advance for another way home;
• Steer clear of potential drunk drivers, watching for signs such as weaving in and out of lanes, driving with their headlights off, and going either significantly over or under the speed limit. 

Contact an Attorney for Help 

Despite taking precautions, crashes and collisions can still happen. If a drunk driver injures you or someone you love, reach out to the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely. To request a consultation, call or contact our Bradenton car accident attorney online today.