How to Avoid a Drunk Driving Accident Over the Holidays

Drunk driving skyrockets over the holidays — and that’s not just around Christmas and New Year’s. Throughout the year, several holidays we enjoy can also be some of the most dangerous days on Texas’s roads due to the elevated risk of drunk driving crashes.

Drunk Driving Accidents during the Holidays: The Facts & Statistics

Guess what holiday tends to be associated with the most deaths from drunk driving wrecks year in and year out?

According to the latest data, it’s New Year’s Day. After that, other holidays that typically see record-breaking deaths from drunk driving accidents include:

1. July 4th: While summer tends to bring surges in impaired driving, particularly with teens out of school and more travelers on the roads, drunk driving typically increases the most in July and August. And the Fourth of July is, tragically, a standout day for impaired driving wrecks.
2. Black Wednesday: Referring to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Black Wednesday is usually the time when people are arrive at their holiday destination. It’s also a day when far more motorists are behind the wheel while impaired.
3. Labor Day: As a major party weekend, Labor Day celebrations can start as early as Thursday and keep going through the weekend. That’s one reason why the Labor Day weekend is generally one of the deadliest weekends to be on the road.
4. Memorial Day: As the official kickoff of summer, Memorial Day is another social holiday that can involve food, fun, and adult beverages. Like the other holidays, Memorial Day is also notorious for unsettling upticks in impaired driving accidents.

Given these trends, many local police departments run drunk driving enforcement campaigns over several holidays throughout the year.

4 Simple Tips to Avoid Holiday Drunk Driving Wrecks

Here are some useful tips for staying safe and enjoying any holiday without putting yourself at unnecessary risk of a drunk driving accident:

1. Plan a sober ride: Either plan to drive sober, designate a friend as a sober driver, or get a ride (via public transportation, taxi, a ridesharing service, etc.). Whatever your transportation plans are, they should NOT involve you getting behind the wheel if you’re going to be consuming alcohol (or other impairing substances) during the holiday in question.
2. Time it right: The later it gets at night, the more likely you are to be involved in an impaired driving crash. So, try to avoid being on the roads during the highest risk periods, whether that means arriving or leaving the party at different times or staying the night somewhere.
3. Stay alert on the roads: If you are driving over any holiday, especially during the evening or early morning hours, be vigilant and carefully watch the drivers around you at all times. Also, keep a safe distance from any motorists who are swerving, weaving, or otherwise driving erratically.
4. Report drunk drivers: If you see other motorists who may be impaired, report what you’ve witnessed to authorities. Getting impaired drivers off the road can save lives. In Texas, you can report a suspected drunk drive by calling The Motorists Helpline at 1-800-525-5555 (this phone number is printed on the back of your driver’s license). If you see a crash or an emergency situation, dial 911 immediately.

Hurt in a Drunk Driving Accident?

You may not know when another driver is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both. And you don’t have to know that for sure before talking to a drunk driving accident attorney and getting more information about your rights and potential legal options.

There could be multiple liable parties, various options for filing a claim, and strict deadlines that are already counting down. Get the answers you need to get justice by talking to a car accident lawyer now.