Posted on Friday, November 10th, 2017 at 4:41 pm
Are you familiar with Blackout Wednesday? No, it is not another shopping day for the holidays. It is a day you should be familiar with because your chance of being injured in a DUI accident could increase. According to information from Scram Systems, the day before Thanksgiving Day (a/k/a Thanksgiving Eve or Blackout Wednesday) is one of the biggest drinking days of the year in some areas. Therefore, the number of drunk drivers increases in some areas on that Wednesday evening.
The reasons for the increase in drinking vary. Some may claim that college students celebrating the holiday break increase DUI accidents while others say it is because many people do not have to get up the next morning to go to work. Whatever the reason, drunk driving does appear to be a problem during the holiday season, beginning with Blackout Wednesday.
How Serious is the Drunk Driving Problem During the Holidays?
Approximately one in eight drivers admit they have driven with they believe they were close to or over the legal limit for drunk driving. This could be a factor in the increase in DUI offenses during the holidays. The number of drunk driving violations increases 31 percent during the Thanksgiving Holiday compared to the average 22 percent increase throughout the entire holiday season from Blackout Wednesday through January 2.
Sadly, it is estimated that somewhere near 25,000 people will be injured and 1,200 people will die in alcohol-related accidents this holiday season. Your chance of being involved in a DUI accident during the holiday season is two to three times as high as any other time of the year. Therefore, it is important to take steps to try to avoid a drunk driving accident this holiday season.
Tips for Avoiding a DUI Accident
You cannot control what another person may choose to do after consuming alcohol; however, you can take steps to reduce the risk of being involved in a drunk driving accident.
- Unless necessary, avoid driving in the evening when drunk drivers are more likely to be on the roads, especially during the hour or two after bars and clubs close.
- Avoid distractions while driving so that you can pay closer attention to the actions of other drivers. If you suspect a driver is drunk because of erratic driving, increase distance between your vehicle and the other vehicle.
- Always buckle your seat belt and make sure children are secured in child safety seats.
- Never try to approach a drunk driver or stop a drunk driver. If you do suspect a driver is drunk, you can pull over or have your passenger call 911 to report the driver to law enforcement officers.
- If you enjoy alcoholic beverages during the holidays, designate a sober driver or arrange for an alternate means of transportation. Never drink and drive!
While these signs are not always an indication that a driver is impaired by alcohol, you should keep these signs in mind so that you can avoid a potentially dangerous situation on the road:
- Wide right turns
- Erratic braking
- Drifting, weaving, straddling the center line, and swerving for no reason
- Failing to use turn signals and abrupt turns
- Driving without headlights after dark
- Stopping for no reason
- Driving very slowly
- Responding slowly to traffic signals
- Driving on the wrong side of the street
- Nearly missing striking other vehicles or objects
Sacramento DUI Accident Attorneys
If you are injured in a DUI accident, you have the right to seek compensation from the drunk driver. However, being drunk is not evidence of fault, although it may be a factor. You must prove the drunk driver caused the collision. Our Sacramento DUI accident attorneys can help you prepare a claim that includes the evidence required to prove that the other driver was responsible for the crash.
For a free legal consultation, contact The Tiemann Law Firm by calling 916-999-9000 or by visiting our website. Our law firm serves clients in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.
