Drunk and Impaired Driving: How to Stay Safe During the Holidays

Drunk and Impaired Driving: How to Stay Safe During the Holidays

Drunk and impaired driving remains a major public safety concern. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk-driving crashes claim more than 10,000 lives per year in the United States. These incidents peak during the holidays due to increased social gatherings and alcohol consumption.

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration. However, it’s also a period when the risk of drunk and impaired driving incidents tends to increase significantly. Understanding the dangers of drunk driving and how to avoid them is crucial for ensuring a safe and happy holiday season. In this blog, we’ll explore the risks associated with impaired driving and offer practical tips to stay safe.

Understanding Impairment

Alcohol, a central nervous system depressant, significantly impairs various cognitive and physical functions essential for safe driving:

• Alcohol can cloud judgment, leading to poor decision-making. Drivers may take unnecessary risks, like speeding or ignoring traffic signals.
• Essential motor skills required for driving are compromised, affecting the ability to steer, brake, and react.
• Alcohol slows reflexes, increasing reaction times. This delay can be critical in preventing accidents.
• Impaired drivers may experience blurred vision and difficulty judging distances and speeds.
• Alcohol diminishes the ability to concentrate on the multiple tasks involved in driving.

Not just alcohol, various other substances can impair driving ability:

• rugs for anxiety, pain, or sleep disorders can impair driving, even when taken as prescribed.
• Common medications, such as antihistamines for allergies, can cause drowsiness and impaired concentration.
• Substances like marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamines significantly impair judgment, reaction time, and motor coordination.

Legal Consequences

Driving under the influence (DUI) is not just a risky behavior but a serious legal offense with significant consequences:

• DUI convictions can lead to substantial fines, often escalating with the severity of the incident or repeat offenses.
• Offenders can lose their driving privileges for a specified period, impacting their daily life and employment.
• Severe or repeated DUI offenses can result in jail time.
• A DUI conviction often leads to a criminal record, affecting future employment, education, and travel opportunities.
• Convicted drivers face higher auto insurance premiums.
• Some jurisdictions require DUI offenders to install these devices, which prevent the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected in the driver’s breath.
• If a drunk driving incident results in injury or death, the driver can face serious legal consequences, including personal injury lawsuits and even charges of vehicular manslaughter.

The Human Cost

Apart from legal consequences, it’s essential to acknowledge the human cost of drunk driving:

• NHTSA reports over 10,000 deaths annually in the U.S. due to drunk driving. Each number represents a life cut short and a family devastated.
• Countless others suffer injuries, some leading to long-term disabilities.
• Survivors and their families often endure significant emotional trauma.

Staying Safe During the Holidays

Navigate the festive season safely with these essential tips to avoid drunk and impaired driving during the holidays.

• Before any holiday event involving alcohol, designate a sober driver who will abstain from drinking to ensure everyone gets home safely.
• If you find yourself without a sober driver, use ride-sharing apps or taxis as a safe alternative to get home.
• Plan your evening around public transportation routes and schedules as a safe and cost-effective option.
• If it’s feasible, plan to stay overnight at the location of the event or at a nearby hotel.
• If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, offer plenty of non-alcoholic drink options and stop serving alcohol well before the party ends. Be prepared to offer your guests a place to stay or assist in arranging safe transportation home.
• Look out for each other. If you see someone who is about to drive after drinking, take their keys and help them arrange a safe ride home.
• Keep a list of emergency contacts, including a local taxi service and a trusted friend or family member who can be called if you need a ride.
• If possible, avoid being on the road during peak times when drunk driving is more prevalent, especially late at night on holidays.

Steering Clear of Impaired Driving with the Support of Croley & Foley

The holiday season is meant for joy and celebration, not for the sorrow of preventable tragedies. Making informed and responsible choices, particularly regarding the risks of drunk and impaired driving, is crucial for a safer holiday experience for all. In unfortunate instances where legal assistance becomes necessary, be it for a rear-end car accident or any other vehicle-related incident, the Law Offices of Croley & Foley stand ready to offer their guidance. 

As your dedicated personal injury attorneys in Lexington, we focus in handling complex cases. If you’re in need of a car accident attorney in Lexington, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.