Along with Mardi Gras and New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the top holidays for alcohol consumption in the U.S. The parades and festivities in celebration of the patron saint of Ireland and all things green often include Emerald Isle-inspired alcoholic concoctions. Unfortunately, sometimes the merriment ends in tragedy when partygoers fail to plan for a safe ride home.
According to the Department of Transportation, 327 people were involved in alcohol-related car accidents over the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day holiday weekend. The previous year, the holiday fell on a Saturday. Joining in the festivities does not have to be a threat to your safety if you take precautions and plan for your safe return home after the party. You can minimize your risk by keeping the following mind:
Make alternate arrangements if you plan to drink. Drinking impedes solid decision-making, so it is best not to leave the issue until the end of the night. Having a plan is the responsible way to enjoy the merriment.
Buckle up. This advice is good every day, but on a day known for excessive drinking and an increased likelihood of drunk drivers on the road, your commitment to using your seat belt can make a life-or-death difference.
Drunk driving is more prevalent in the early hours of the morning. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 62 percent of traffic deaths between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. involved an intoxicated driver. Avoid being on the road at these times, especially on nights known for partying.
Look out for your friends. Though it may not be easy, you should step in if a friend attempts to drive after they had too much to drink. You should avoid getting into a car with a driver who is also drunk.
Additional Reasons
Besides the dangers drunk driving presents for you and others, there are plenty of other reasons to avoid driving under the influence. After safety concerns, a major reason to refrain from driving after a night of partying is to avoid a drunk driving charge.
Driving under the influence carries penalties for anyone caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. Those penalties can include license suspension or revocation, mandatory fines, possible jail time, and insurance premium increases.
Huntsville Car Accident Attorneys at Hodges Trial Lawyers, P.C. Obtain Compensation for People Hurt by Drunk Drivers
If you were injured by a drunk driver, the Huntsville car accident attorneys at Hodges Trial Lawyers, P.C. can assist you in obtaining compensation from the driver responsible for your injuries. Contact us online or call 256-539-3110 to schedule a free consultation. Located in Huntsville and Athens, Alabama, we provide representation to clients in North Alabama, Madison County, Limestone County, Marshall County, Jackson County, Morgan County, and Lauderdale County.
