Drunk Driving During the Holidays

For many, including and especially college students home over winter break, the celebration of the New Year does not signal the end of the holiday season. Whether we are talking about Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, etc., or the early weeks of January, holiday travel means busy roads and distracted drivers. Moreover, the increase in celebrations during this time of year means a significant increase in alcohol-related driving incidents all over the country.

Our personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Aronberg & Aronberg know that alcohol and motor vehicles are a toxic mix. We’ve represented many clients who have had their lives shattered due to the negligence of others who, while inebriated, have gotten behind the wheel and caused serious car accidents.

According to USA Today, between the years of 2007 and 2011, research has shown that drunk driving has accounted for over 40% of the fatal car accidents during the New Year’s periods of those years. That is a tremendous statistic, which demonstrates just how dangerous consuming alcohol and getting behind the wheel of a car can be.

Why is alcohol such a danger on the road? The fact is that alcohol is a depressant, and it slows and inhibits one’s ability to react and make decisions. Being drunk behind the wheel means that your reaction time, for example, is significantly delayed. If a car is swerving and moves into your lane and is about to hit you, if you’re drunk, you may not be able to react quickly enough as to avoid the accident. Similarly, if the driver in the car ahead of you is stepping on the brakes, you may not register the red brake lights in time to slow down your own car and, as a result, you may go flying into the car in front of you. (The fact that this time of the year means messy weather for many parts of the country only adds to the danger posed by drunk driving).

For years, our experienced attorneys have represented individuals injured in auto accidents; many of the incidents, which led to these cases, took place over the holiday season, when celebrations and festivities often get in the way of safe driving.

Unfortunately, as our personal injury lawyers know, fatal car crashes involving alcohol disproportionately affect young people. For instance, in 2012, one out of every three drivers (32% to be precise) with a BAC of 0.08% of above involved in a fatal car crash was between the ages of 21 and 24 years old. After those aged 21-24, the next two largest groups involved, which both span a wider range of years, were those aged 25 to 34 (27%) and those aged 35 to 44 (24%).

Our personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Aronberg & Aronberg hope that you enjoy the rest of the holiday season safely and with respect for your own safety and that of the other drivers on the road. If you become the victim of a car accident caused by the negligence of someone else, please contact us for a free consultation by calling 561-266-9191 or by e-mailing us at daronberg@build.simple.biz. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Views: 0