New Year’s Eve should be a time for celebrating the past 365 days and looking forward to the next. The night is often filled with fireworks, festivities, and lots of champagne. Unfortunately, the holiday also results in a significant increase in drunk driving accidents. Driving on New Year’s Eve can be extremely dangerous. If you were injured in a New Year’s Eve drunk driving accident it is crucial that you obtain skilled representation and legal advice. Contact an experienced Kane County auto accident lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options.
New Year’s Eve Drunk Driving Statistics
New Year’s Eve has been reported as the number one biggest day of the year for alcohol sales. This fact is unsurprising after considering the staggering number of drunk driving-related deaths that occur on the same day.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), an estimated 375 people may die on the roads this New Year’s. In 2021 there were a reported 395 deaths due to holiday traffic on New Year’s. 40% of those deaths were caused by alcohol-impaired drivers. In the same year, the number of overnight fatalities spiked by 168% on New Year’s Eve compared to the days and weeks preceding and following the holiday.
Being on the road on New Year’s Eve is inherently dangerous, even if you are abstaining from drinking. There is no telling what other drivers have been up to.
How Can You Stay Safe on New Year’s Eve?
The best way to stay safe on New Year’s Eve is generally to stay home. Understandably, however, that is not the way most people want to ring in the new year. Staying safe on New Year’s relies heavily on making smart choices.
Do not drink and drive or get in the car with a driver who has been drinking under any circumstances. Stay sober, call a taxi, Uber, or Lyft, or get in the car with someone you know for a fact is sober. Assign a designated driver if one of your friends is willing.
It is impossible to control other people, especially other drivers on the road. You cannot be certain that the cars around you are not being operated by a drunk driver but you can take precautions to ensure that the driver of your vehicle is alert and sober.
Besides avoiding drunk driving, take safety precautions like wearing your seatbelt, using your blinker before turning, looking both ways at intersections, and following the rules of the road.
As New Year’s Eve approaches, it is crucial to understand the dangers of drunk driving and acknowledge the risks associated with being on the road on this particular holiday. Plan your ride ahead of time to avoid being stranded or relying on a drunk driver. For more information or legal advice reach out to an experienced attorney.
