Holidays are accompanied by family gatherings, office parties, reuniting with friends, and other fun events. These are gatherings we anticipate throughout the year. But holiday enthusiasm may have a dark side: the fear of a drunk driving accident and the resulting injuries and deaths.
Drunk driving, drugged driving, distracted driving are all examples of impaired driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation collaborated to produce the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign to raise public awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and the possibility of a drunk driving accident. Too many intoxicated drivers get behind the wheel each day, putting their lives and the lives of countless others at danger. Remember that everyone has a responsibility to play in preventing a drunk driving accident.
The Role of Drivers
No one is more accountable than the driver for preventing drunk driving. No excuses! If you drink, you can’t drive. How can one make sure they don’t make the wrong decision by getting behind the wheel while intoxicated? Here are some tips.
- Arrange for a sober driver to take you home if you plan to consume alcohol during a night out.
- Schedule an Uber or Lyft pick up at a certain time.
- Watch what you eat and drink. Never drink excessively rapidly. In addition, it is advised to not consume alcohol on an empty stomach.
- Ensure that in addition to not consuming alcohol on an empty stomach, that you continuously eat something every so often as you are drinking.
- If you want to have more than one or two alcoholic beverages at a Christmas party, you should stay overnight in a nearby hotel or motel. Thus, you will be able to stroll to your hotel room after the celebration. If your company is holding the Christmas party at a hotel ballroom, chances are the hotel will have special room pricing for attendees.
The Role of Event Hosts
The majority of us like throwing Christmas gatherings for family and friends. With the decision to provide alcoholic beverages, however, comes the duty to ensure that our visitors do not leave the party so inebriated that they cannot drive safely.
Serve a variety of food, coffee, and non-alcoholic beverages, and circulate throughout the party to monitor your attendees. Be proactive if you witness someone drinking more than one or two alcoholic beverages or displaying indications of drunkenness. Determine if the individual plans to drive himself home. If so, intervene and guarantee that he is transported by a sober driver. Take the keys and call for a taxi. Or, contact a family member or friend to provide a sober ride for your guest. If you cannot handle the matter by yourself, ask their buddies (or yours) for assistance.
The Role of Family Members
Many of you know relatives who drink excessively at holiday parties. You understand that your spouse, boyfriend, sister, or mother endangers his or her life and the lives of others when driving under the influence. Take a stance and be resolute. No drinking and driving. Prevent a drunk driving accident by offering to drive your relative to the party and pick him up afterward.
Alternatively, you can arrange transportation with a taxi or ridesharing service. If you are a parent who is concerned that your adolescent or young adult may drink and drive, attempt to reach a consensus or understanding on the matter. Explain that you are ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no matter where your child is, to pick him up if he or his companions think he is too inebriated to drive.
The Role of Friends
It has been stated repeatedly, but it’s true! Friends don’t let friends drive intoxicated. Do everything it takes to prevent a drunk friend from driving and causing a drunk driving accident. Take his keys away. Place his automobile where he cannot locate it. Drive him home personally. If you cannot take him home because you do not have a car or because you have had too much to drink, call an Uber or Lyft.
The Role of Personal Responsibility
You have a role to play in discouraging drunk driving and preventing a drunk driving accident. During the holidays, watch out for them as you travel on highways and roads. Call the police immediately if you observe unusual driver behavior that signals a motorist is driving under the influence. Provide the location, make and model of the vehicle, and license plate number.
For your own safety, avoid traveling late at night on roads and highways during the holidays. Intoxicated drivers are more prevalent late at night and early in the morning. And while you cannot 100% control what others do, you can control your own actions, Do not ride in a car or on a motorcycle driven by someone you know to be intoxicated—it may save your life.
Arizona Auto Accident Lawyers
We understand that even the most responsible holiday party guests can become the victim of a drunk driving accident. If this is you, you are probably dealing with several expenses that you would not have faced otherwise in the aftermath of an accident: hospital bills, surgeries, medical visits, and loss of work, not to mention the non-economic consequences of the accident. An auto accident attorney will help you navigate the overwhelming task of demanding the compensation you deserve. We have a compassionate and understanding legal team that is skilled in aggressively and assertively safeguarding our clients and their interests. Contact us here by filling out a case review form. We look forward to speaking with you.