Tips for Avoiding Drunk Driving Accidents During the Holidays

The holidays are coming. That means people are getting together with old friends, throwing back a few, and celebrating the start of a brand-new year. Unfortunately, this also means that drunk driving is a serious risk. People are known for overestimating their ability to handle their alcohol, and that mistake could cause an innocent victim their life. As you get ready to celebrate the holidays, use these tips to avoid impaired driving accidents and keep yourself safe.

If you do get hurt in a drunk driving crash, do not wait to seek compensation. Someone else’s bad decision should not leave you bankrupt and unable to work. Call Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell at our Chatom office at 251-336-3411 or our Bay Minette office at 251-336-3697 to set up a consultation now.

Be on High Alert While Driving

Knowing that impaired driving is a serious problem during the holidays is a big part of protecting yourself. If you know that you’re likely to encounter more drunk drivers on the road, you can take steps to stay away from them. Watch out for anyone who is driving erratically or in a way that doesn’t make sense.

They may be driving far too slow or too fast for the weather and road conditions. They may be swerving and drifting across lanes. An impaired driver might stop and start suddenly on the road or change their mind about turns at the last second. If anyone’s driving is so unpredictable that you cannot appropriately protect yourself, drop back and take a different route.

Stay Sober

This may seem obvious, but don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you can hold your alcohol better than others. Driving while impaired puts you at greater risk of an accident, and it also makes you unable to act quickly and protect yourself from another impaired driver. If you want to drink while you’re out and about, choose a designated driver and make sure that they don’t indulge.

Know the High-Risk Times for Your Area

The 2020 Crash Facts booklet offers a deep dive into the world of Alabama traffic collisions. This information is truly helpful when it comes to keeping yourself safe, deciding when and where to drive, and knowing which driving behaviors are the riskiest. In the section on alcohol and drug involvement, it’s noted that drivers aged 20 to 29 are the most likely to engage in impaired driving. However, their analysis also shows when crashes are most likely to occur.

Collisions see a significant jump at 8:00 P.M. and increase throughout the night, peaking between midnight and 1:00 A.M. Do your best to stay off the roads at this time. The worst days for impaired traffic collisions are Saturday and Sunday, followed by Friday. If you must drive at high-risk times, be extra alert.

Avoid Parts of Town Known for Their Nightlife

Drunk driving can happen anywhere. People leaving house parties or returning home after a night of socializing at a friend’s home can cause crashes just as easily as those leaving a nightclub or bar. Having said that, you can still protect yourself by staying away from the downtown area and other areas known for their bars and clubs.

Although you’ll never be able to eliminate the risk of an impaired driving accident completely, this does give you some level of protection. On top of that, these areas are busy at night—even if you don’t get hit by a drunk driver, you could get hit by a rushed Uber driver, an exhausted worker trying to get home, or someone who’s been out all night and is on the verge of collapse. Staying away from these areas on weekend nights just makes sense.

Do what you can to keep you and your family safe this holiday season to lay the groundwork for a fun and memorable 2023.

Have You Been Injured in a Crash? Call Us Now

When you are hurt in a car accident, calling a lawyer may not be your first thought. However, the team at Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell can help you fight for the compensation you’re owed while you focus on recovering. Set up a time to talk now by calling us at our Chatom office at 251-336-3411 or our Bay Minette office at 251-336-3697 or contacting us online.