What the Facts Show
During 2020, 185 fatalities occurred from drunk driving during the Thanksgiving holiday over a period that began at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 and ended at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, November 30.
Moreover, 821 people died in drunk-driving crashes from 2016 to 2020, during the same time period, during Thanksgiving.
Over the 2020 Thanksgiving holiday season, approximately four times as many drivers were involved in fatal wrecks at night than they were during the day.
Statistics show that male drivers more often drove while drunk than females and therefore were involved in more fatal accidents. In fact, males accounted for over 75% of alcohol-related incidents.
About one-third of fatalities involving drinking resulted from a blood alcohol content (BAC) at or above the legal limit of .08. In the U.S., it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, except in Utah, where the limit is .05.
Drinking while “buzzed” or drunk leads to deaths as well as traumatic crashes. These types of collisions can lead to serious injuries that lead to paralysis or another lifetime impairment. They can cause social and emotional ramifications that lead to long-term pain and suffering.
The costs in terms of lives and the impact on the economy are equally devastating. Crashes involving drinking cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars in healthcare and economic losses per year.
Therefore, you need to be especially careful over the Thanksgiving holiday, as people will still continue to celebrate recklessly. They won’t consider the consequences of their partying until it is too late.
Even if they consume a minimum number of drinks, they can still be a danger on the roadway. If you’re going to drink, it’s still best to plan to have a sober driver take you home.
Call Law Enforcement If You Spot a Drunk Driver on the Road
If you do spot a drunk driver on the road or a car that is swerving, contact law enforcement immediately. Make sure you take extra care whenever you walk or drive. Be aware of what is going on around you.
If you notice a friend who has drunk too much and is getting in their car to drive, call Uber or a cab so he or she arrives home safely.
Thanksgiving may be a time of celebration. However, you also want to make sure that things don’t get out of control. That is why it’s important to take extra precautions during the holidays.
Whether you’re planning to drink or you’re out on the road or walking, always play it safe. Don’t turn a naturally happy time of the year into a day you’d rather forget.
Call Slappey and Sadd If You’ve Been Injured by a Drunk Driver
Were you injured by a drunk driver? If so, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer right away. Find out about your rights by contacting Slappey and Sadd, LLC. Call the law firm at (888) 474-9616 today.