The winter holidays are a time for celebration and joy, but the roads can be dangerous if people drink and drive. Fortunately, there are some important steps you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and prevent an injury or fatal accident this holiday season. 

How to Avoid Drunk Driving Crashes During the Holidays 

During the holidays, there’s an increase in auto accidents caused by intoxicated drivers. While it’s impossible to avoid these drivers entirely, there are ways you can keep yourself and your friends and family safe this holiday season. 

  • The most important way to avoid a drunk driving accident is not to drive if you have been drinking. If you’re going to have a few drinks, designate a sober driver or take public transportation instead of driving yourself.
  • If you are hosting a holiday gathering, make sure your guests know how much they should drink and how to get home safely if they’ve had too much. Also, provide a selection of food and non-alcoholic beverages to help offset the effects of alcohol consumption.
  • If you are attending a gathering hosted by someone else, set limits on how much you will drink and how long you plan on staying. Monitor how much your friends drink. Don’t let them get behind the wheel if they’ve had too much.
  • Keep taxi and rideshare services like Uber or Lyft on hand, and ensure everyone has their contact information.
  • If you believe someone has been drinking and driving, do not hesitate to take action. Reach out to the driver and offer a safe ride home, or call 911 if you believe their behavior is putting other drivers at risk.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that everyone stays safe and enjoys the holidays responsibly. 

How to Identify Potential Drunk Drivers on the Road

The holidays can be a festive, wonderful time, but it’s important to keep safety in mind when you’re out on the roads. If you suspect someone is driving under the influence, it is your responsibility to report them. 

Below, you’ll find tips on how to identify impaired drivers on the road:

  • Drunk drivers often have difficulty staying in lanes, weaving back and forth, or driving too slow or too fast.
  • Drunk drivers may swerve between lanes, drift over the center line into oncoming traffic, or veer off the shoulder of the road.
  • A driver under the influence of alcohol may have trouble controlling how much pressure they apply to the accelerator and brakes. This can cause them to speed up or slow down drastically, and without warning.
  • Drunk drivers may take longer to react to traffic lights, pedestrians, or other objects on the road.

If you notice any of these signs on the road, do your part to help keep everyone safe and contact local law enforcement immediately. Additionally, if you plan on drinking during the holidays, consider how you will get home safely. Make sure to designate a sober driver or use public transportation or ride-sharing services, such as Uber or Lyft. By taking this extra step, you can help avoid a drunk driving accident during the holidays.

What are Other Causes of Auto Accidents During the Holiday Season?

With so many holiday parties and family gatherings occurring this time of year, there is a significant increase in accidents on the road. However, alcohol-impaired driving is not only to blame for this increase in road accidents and holiday fatalities. 

Other causes of holiday auto accidents include:

  • Poor weather 
  • Increase in road trips/traffic on the road 
  • Drowsiness in drivers/exhausted drivers 
  • Distracting holiday decor can take a driver’s attention away from the road 

Contact an Auto Accident Attorney at Cambre & Associates Today

If you were involved in a motor vehicle collision with a drunk driver this holiday season, contact a car accident lawyer at Cambre and Associates. We offer free, no-obligation consultations. You can meet with a car accident attorney to discuss your case and learn about your legal rights and options. We can help guide you through this legal process and ensure you recover the compensation you deserve for all accident-related expenses. Contact Cambre and Associates today to learn more.