As the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays draw nearer and Georgians prepare for festivities, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is kicking off its pre-holiday season drunk driving prevention campaign. Jones & Swanson is teaming up with the NHTSA in an effort to remind all motorists that it’s extremely hazardous to operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol. The best way to prevent drunk driving is to choose your role before the alcohol consumption begins. By planning ahead, you could prevent not only the headache and hassle associated with a DUI, but an injury-causing crash as well. The last thing you want to do to face around the holidays is the guilt of injuring an innocent bystander after making the decision to drive after drinking.
Unfortunately, many U.S. citizens feel that it’s ok to drive after having only a little bit to drink. In reality, most people don’t truly know their own limits when it comes to drinking. The consumption of alcohol itself serves to lessen one’s ability to make a smart decision, so deciding to drive after having a drink or two is not smart. Operating a motor vehicle can be extremely dangerous even when at peak performance, so driving with any alcohol in your body is just that much more unsafe. It doesn’t take much to affect your decision-making behind the wheel of a vehicle. Remember, even Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
In 2013, approximately 10,076 lives were lost in drunk driving automobile accidents. That same year, 1/3 of all U.S. motor vehicle fatalities involved intoxicated driving. Holiday get-togethers and parties make the winter months especially dangerous. In December of 2013, more than 730 people lost their lives in auto and motorcycle crashes involving a drunk driver.
For the 2015 holiday season, we urge Georgians to avoid drunk driving at all costs. If you know you’re attending an event where you’ll be tempted to drive, leave your keys at home. Designate a driver or use a car service to attend the event, just in case. If your concerned about spending the money on a taxi, remember that cost will be very little compared to the financial and emotional costs that come with a DUI crash.
For more helpful drunk driving avoidance tips, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov.
Categories: Auto Accidents, Car Accident, Personal Injury, Safety Tips
