December Is National Drunk And Driving Awareness Month

The month of December has been designated National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA.)  While it is important each and every month to raise awareness to the fact that drunk and drugged driving are dangerous and cause many accidents, the month of December is a particularly deadly month for those driving while impaired.  In fact, the percentage of fatal auto accidents that are caused by those driving while impaired is typically around 30% but in the month of December this number jumps to over 50%, a staggering increase due in part to the celebration of holidays.

Drunk and drugged driving is a key factor in many New Haven auto accidents, especially this time of the year.   You can amplify this message by being a model citizen on the roads and not driving while impaired, but you can also take it one step further and share some of these tips with your friends and family that they can use anytime, but especially this month to make it easier to not get behind the wheel when they’ve had too many drinks or are using drugs.

1. Make a plan.  When you’re making plans to spend quality time with family and friends and you know that that will include drinking alcohol or doing drugs, make a plan to get to and from the destination without having to get behind the wheel.  This plan should be a part of the plans you are making for the actual activity itself.
2. Designate a driver.  The easiest and safest way to arrive home without any injuries is to designate a driver.  If you’re planning to go to multiple holiday gatherings you and your friend or family member can take turns so everyone gets a chance to drink while you all get the gift of getting home alive.
3. Download Uber to your phone now and use it.  Ride share apps like Uber can be so helpful in taking the danger out of a night out on the town or at a friend’s home.  Don’t hesitate to take an Uber to and from the party or if you get to the party and realize you’ve had too much to drink and you aren’t well to drive, don’t hesitate to use the app to get home and then go back the next morning to get your car.
4. Get permission to stay the night.  If you’re at a friend or family members house and you have the ability to stay the night, why not do that.  You’ll extend your celebration and you’ll be safe in the process.

Picking one or two of these safety tips and sticking to them all year round and especially during the holidays can be the difference between arriving to your destination safely or not.  If you drive when you’re drunk or have been doing drugs of any kind you may be more likely to get into a New Haven auto accident, but if you follow these simple steps and share them with your friends you will be safer for it.

When you’re out driving during the holidays especially there is a greater danger on the road, even if you have followed the steps above because others may not.  If you get injured you may need an attorney who can work with you to help protect your long-term interests.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your case.