The holidays at the end of the year and the New Year itself often lead to raucous celebrations. People get together with friends or family. They may travel across the states to celebrate with their loved ones. The combination of travel and celebration can be relatively dangerous.
Unfortunately, the holidays often see a noticeable increase in drunk driving collisions. People who had one too many eggnogs on Christmas or beers while watching football on Thanksgiving have to get home after their parties. A small percentage of those impaired motorists cause crashes that result in devastating consequences for other people.
Obviously, ensuring that a sober person drives on the holidays is the most important way to avoid drunk driving collisions. What other safety tips can help families stay safe around the holidays?
Travel early or late
Some of the most dangerous times to be on the road include the morning of major holidays and the late evening on those days. The day before can also be relatively dangerous. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is frequently one of the busiest bar nights of the year. By traveling a day ahead of time or a day after the holiday, people can reduce their risk of encountering inebriated celebrants on their way to or from a party.
Stay on major thoroughfares
Many drunk drivers are locals who may drive after drinking regularly. One of the many tactics that those who habitually overindulge use to avoid arrest is to travel on rural roads where they are less likely to encounter the police. Drivers hoping to avoid drunk driving crashes can therefore benefit from seeking out busier streets with higher speed limits. The presence of more vehicles means more police presence and less likelihood of encountering a drunk motorist.
Reroute if necessary
Few things are more anxiety-inducing than realizing a driver nearby is not in full control of their vehicle. When people spot a driver swerving all over, braking erratically and otherwise displaying signs of impairment, their first priority should be to put as much distance between themselves and that driver as possible. Getting off the highway or turning off onto another street can help them limit the likelihood of a crash.
If a crash does occur, those involved may need to notify police officers of their suspicion that the person who caused the motor vehicle collision is under the influence of alcohol. An accurate police report increases the likelihood of injured people successfully filing insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits later on.
