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Watch Out for Drunk Drivers During the Holidays

The holidays are nearly upon us, and while the global pandemic is almost certain to change the way we celebrate the holidays this year, one thing that isn’t likely to change is the fact that drunk drivers will be out there. Drunk driving increases around the holidays and this fact plays far too significant a role in serious traffic accidents. If you or someone you care about is injured by a drunk driver this holiday season, don’t put off consulting with a dedicated San Francisco personal injury attorney. 

The Statistics Tell a Grim Story

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares the following grim statistics as they relate to drunk drivers on our roadways:

  • In 2018, 10,511 fatal traffic accidents were caused by drunk drivers. This translates to nearly 30 deaths a day and to one death every 50 minutes in the United States. 
  • In 2018, a full 29 percent of all traffic fatalities were caused by drunk drivers.
  • The total cost of death and damage emanating from drunk driving accidents in 2010 (the most recent year for which we have data) was $44 billion. 

Drunk drivers make our roads more dangerous for all of us, and this is especially true during the holidays.

Alcohol’s Dangerous Effects

NHTSA shares that alcohol has the following effects, all of which are extremely dangerous when the person who’s been drinking is behind the wheel:

  • Alcohol reduces the brain’s functioning.
  • Alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination. 
  • As the level of alcohol rises, so too do its dangerous effects. 

Alcohol and driving are a deadly combination. 

Holiday Drunk Driving Facts

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) shares the following holiday-related drunk driving statistics:

  • In the 2016 holiday seasons alone (the month of December), 781 people lost their lives in traffic accidents involving drunk driving. 
  • 28 percent of all traffic fatalities in the month of December (from 2012 to 2016) were caused by drunk drivers. 
  • In the same five-year period, an average of 300 people lost their lives to drunk drivers during the Christmas to New Year’s period each year. 

DOT reminds all motorists that drunk driving is illegal in all 50 states, and that we can all help decrease the danger associated with impaired driving by making the personal choice to never drink and drive. 

Seek the Professional Legal Counsel of an Experienced San Francisco Car Accident Attorney

The holidays are a time to celebrate family, but this year stands to be one of the more difficult seasons on record – as we continue to battle a global pandemic. This may contribute to an even greater risk of holiday-related drunk driving. If an impaired driver leaves you or someone you love injured over the holidays, the practiced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Scott Righthand are committed to aggressively advocating for your legal rights and for your rightful compensation. We’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation by contacting us today.

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Date Of Posting

22 December,2020

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