5 Worst Times to Drive on the Road
As we prepare to celebrate everything Irish tomorrow on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day should be a reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving.
A study found that 1% of beer in the world is consumed on St. Patrick’s Day. In fact, 13 million pints of Guinness (an Irish beer) will be consumed worldwide on March 17.
Here is a list of 5 of the worst times to drive on the road.
Saturdays Between Midnight and 3AM
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that Saturday is the most dangerous day of the week to drive. More people travel during the weekend and unfortunately, more drunk drivers are behind the wheel on Saturdays.
The highest number of drunk drivers are on the road between midnight and 3AM, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. If you are driving during the weekend, try to travel from mid-morning to late afternoon.
Fourth of July
From 2005 to 2009, there were 144 driving-related fatalities on average annually during July 4th. This ranks July 4th as the deadliest day of the year to drive.
The months between May and August include 90% of the deadliest days of the year for teen drivers, July 4th included.
Thanksgiving Weekend
The most-traveled holiday period of the year is Thanksgiving weekend. The holiday season kicks off with Thanksgiving, as does the increased number of DUI arrests. The number of DUI arrests is highest between Thanksgiving and New Year’s weekend.
Christmas and New Year’s
There has been an increase in the number of drunk driving deaths during Christmas and New Year’s. It’s reported that 40% of deaths in car accidents during Christmas and New Year’s involve drunk drivers.
With an increase in parties and social drinking, these end-of-the year celebrations can result in tragic consequences.
St. Patrick’s Day
This holiday ranks 4th among the year’s most popular drinking days, following New Year’s, Christmas Eve, and the Fourth of July. Like the other 3 holidays, St. Patrick’s Day also ranks high in drunk driving accidents.
From 2010 to 2014, 266 people were killed in drunk-driving accidents. Of all the fatal car accidents that occur on St. Patrick’s Day, 75% of the accidents involve a driver who has 2 times the legal limit of alcohol in their system.
How Can I Reduce My Risk of Being Involved in a Car Accident?
There are many ways you can help reduce your risk of being involved in a car accident during these holidays:
- Celebrate the holidays at your house or travel a few days before normal traveling days
- Make sure you have a safe way to get home if you’ve been drinking: bring a designated driver, call a cab, or stay where you are until you can get a ride
- Drive in the daytime (avoid driving in the middle of the night when it’s likely that drunk drivers are behind the wheel)
- Make frequent stops (make sure you’re fully alert when driving so you can respond to a hazardous situation with your full abilities)
There are many more actions you can take to help reduce your risk of being involved in a car accident during the holiday seasons.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident because of a drunk driver, contact the Colley & Colley law firm in Tyler, Texas for a free consultation. We’re dedicated to providing you with the best legal counsel in East Texas. From all of us at the firm, we wish you and your family a safe and fun St. Patrick’s Day.