New Year’s Eve is right around the corner, a day when millions of Americans celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next. Unfortunately, it’s also a day when people are more likely to drink and drive. According to one source, Americans are 129% more likely to get a DUI on New Year’s Eve than on any other day.[1]
And there’s a reason why so many DUIs occur on New Year’s Eve. People are celebrating and not taking the right precautions to ensure they don’t have to get behind the wheel of a car. While law enforcement officers apprehend many drunk drivers on New Year’s Eve, thousands are not apprehended. Accidents, injuries, and even deaths result. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day is the worst 24-hour period in the year for drunk-diving deaths.
Sadly, drunk driving fatalities spike 116% on New Year’s Eve, with most years recording about 350-400 fatal DUI crashes on this day. Further, of the total number of fatal car accidents on New Year’s, 58% are caused by drunk driving, making intoxicated drivers more of a threat than all other driving-related dangers combined.
What You Can Do to Keep Yourself Safe
The most important safety tip for any New Year’s Eve celebration is to avoid drinking and driving. Americans must commit to not being a part of the problem. Beyond that, here are some safety tips everyone should observe to ensure they have a fun and safe New Year’s Eve:
- Plan a safe ride. Rather than relying on a last-minute cab, Uber, or Lyft, plan a ride. Ensure you and your partygoers have transportation determined before the evening’s celebrations begin, and make sure the driver has not been drinking.
- Consider supporting a Sober Ride program. To make certain your chosen transportation for the evening is sober, consider utilizing a sober ride program. Some cities have even created programs that recruit drivers committed to sober living.[2]
- Make use of public transportation. If transportation plans fall through and public transportation is available, use this safe route to get home rather than getting behind the wheel of a car.
- Talk to the bar or restaurant staff. If transportation options fall through, bartenders are often willing to help their patrons get home safely. They may even be able to place special cards on your car windshield to prevent towing (if you must leave your car at the establishment overnight).
- Enlist the help of an “accountabilibuddy.” Your family members and loved ones want you to get home safely from a New Year’s Eve party, so make an arrangement with a family member or friend that if you cannot find a safe ride home, your loved one will help you. Further, promise this person you will text or call them when you get home safely, so they know you had a fun and safe New Year’s celebration.
NRS Injury Law Wishes Everyone a Safe and Wonderful New Year!
As the leading injury law practice in Ohio, the partners and staff at NRS Injury Law have seen too many wrongful injury and death cases caused by drunk driving not to feel quite passionate about this issue. We hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday celebration, but if you or a loved one is involved in a wrongful accident, contact NRS Injury Law today at 855.468.4878, or fill out our contact form.
Sources:
[1] MoneyGeek. “2022’s Most Dangerous Days for DUIs.” Money Geek, 2022. moneygeek.com [2] iDriveSafely. “Arrive Alive: 8 Sober Ride Services to Use this Holiday Season.” i Drive Safely, 2022. idrivesafely.com
