Don’t Let Family and Friends Turn Into Drunk Drivers This Holiday

Naturally, with so many more of us preparing to attend holiday parties, dinners and events, the likelihood of being offered an adult beverage is going to be prevalent. So, as you prepare to celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays, Rhoads & Rhoads is here to remind you that deadly drunk driving crashes are more prevalent this time of year and it is up to you to make the right choice to never drink and drive.

The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that alcohol-related traffic fatalities account for more than 40 percent of all traffic accidents between Christmas and New Year’s. Too often, the result of a drunk driving related death is tragic and will leave individuals and families with lifelong challenges due to the loss of a loved one, traumatic brain injury, spinal injuries, paralysis, or other permanent medical conditions.

1 in 3 Traffic Deaths Involve a Drunk Driver

In Kentucky, about one in three traffic deaths involve a drunk driver. Buoyed by alcohol, a drunk driver may feel invincible, and make rash, dangerous decisions to speed, ignore the rules of the road or traffic signals, become distracted, or remain overly confident in their ability to drive despite their impaired state. The team at Rhoads & Rhoads would like to review the precautions everyone can take to keep safe on the road this holiday season:

• Remember that NO amount of alcohol is safe for the person who is behind the wheel.
• If you’re hosting a party, don’t overserve guests and make sure everyone leaves with a sober driver.
• If you’re a guest at a party and drinking, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
• If you’re impaired, use a ride-share service like Uber or ask the bartender to call a taxi, sober friend or family member for you, or use public transportation to get home safely.
• The current-day reality is that more than 40 percent of designated drivers have consumed alcohol prior to driving others home. It’s important to be vigilant about a designated driver’s sobriety if you or your friends are going to be relying on them.
• Always wear your seat belt and put your phone away so you can stay alert and not distracted—these are some of your best defenses against impaired drivers.
• If you see a suspicious driver, contact law enforcement by dialing 911. You may dial the KSP toll-free line directly at 1-800-222-5555.
• And remember, if you know people who are about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get them safely to where they are going. 

Happy and Safe Holidays Wishes

If tragedy strikes this holiday season and you or your family are involved in a drunk driving accident, please call the car accident attorneys at Rhoads & Rhoads. We have served many clients in their times of need and understand your need to focus on grieving and healing. Our job is to seek justice for the wrongs that were done to you and to ensure your family is not burdened by the financial realities of medical care and recovery. We can start the conversation today in a FREE initial consultation. Give us a call at 888-709-9329—we know we can help you.