Holiday Season Drunk Driving Campaign

Holidays are supposed to be about celebrating the season with loved ones and soaking up the Christmas spirit. However, this festive season also increases the chances that a driver will get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol. Even though it is illegal to drive drunk in all 50 states, alcohol-impaired fatalities make up more than a quarter of all crash fatalities. Every holiday season results in hundreds of lives lost due to drunk drivers on the roadways, especially the week between Christmas and New Year. In December of 2016 alone, 781 people lost their lives in a drunk driving-related collision. Due to this, the Holiday Season Drunk Driving Campaign is designed to bring awareness to the dangers of operating a vehicle under the influence.

During the holiday season, law enforcement agencies make it a point to increase patrols, and drivers start to see more advertisements that depict the consequences of driving under the influence. During this holiday season, focus on celebrating the holidays responsibly by avoiding operating a vehicle under the influence. While alcohol is common at holiday parties and can create a lively environment, it is important to create a plan prior to the event if you know you are going to be drinking:

• Plan a safe and sober ride home before drinking alcohol.
• Consider using Uber or Lyft services to safely drive you home.
• Do not let someone get behind the wheel if you know they have been drinking.
• If you are hosting a party with alcohol, be sure to check that everyone has a sober ride home.
• Remember to always wear a seat belt.
• If you happen to a see a drunk driver, immediately call law enforcement services.

Together, we can reduce the toll of drunk driving this holiday season by planning a ride home before consuming alcohol. Drinking alcohol impairs a person’s thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination, all of which are abilities required to properly operate a vehicle. Even one glass of alcohol before operating a vehicle can put you and others in danger of being involved in a collision. The legal BAC limit to drive is .08 and at this level, people experience reduced concentration, short-term memory loss, lack of speed control and impaired perception. As your BAC gets higher, the consequences become more serious, leading to severe impairment in vehicle control and visual and auditory information processing, which is necessary to operate a vehicle.

As we approach Christmas and New Years’ festivities, remember this relevant information and safety tips related to drunk driving. Unfortunately, even when you are following the law and practicing all appropriate safety measures, there are still drivers who operate a vehicle under the influence and cause collisions on the roadway. If you or a loved one have been injured in an alcohol-related collision caused by another person, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at Spiros Law, P.C. are experienced in handling cases of this nature and understand the pain and suffering individuals suffer from in this situation. Contact one of our attorneys today at (217) 328-2828 to discuss your legal options and receive a free consultation.