Holiday Parties Shouldn’t Turn into Funerals

Holiday Parties Shouldn’t Turn into Funerals – Statistics That Could Make You Put That Drink Down

The wee hours after New Year’s Eve sees the highest number of motor vehicle crashes out of all holidays in Pennsylvania, according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Ten percent of all PA holiday crashes in 2011 happened on “Post New Year’s,” the time of night when most revelers are attempting to make their way back home after counting down to the annual calendar flip. The problem is that some drivers choose to get behind the wheel when they’re intoxicated. AAA remarked recently that hours after New Year’s Eve consistently ranks as the deadliest for alcohol-related fatalities around the country. For injury lawyers in Philadelphia, stressing the need for responsible alcohol consumption around the holidays could be seen as a full-time job. The accident statistics alone should be sobering for even the most ardent holiday imbiber. 

Consider this: 41 percent of all deaths occurring on holidays in Pennsylvania in 2011 involved alcohol use, according to PennDOT. Thirteen percent of all motor vehicle crashes on holidays during that year involved alcohol, of which 254 occurred during New Years and Post New Years. The holiday was the fourth deadliest in Pennsylvania for 2011 behind Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving respectively.

Avoiding a drunk-driving collision is much more difficult after someone who’s been drinking makes the decision to get behind the wheel of a car. Having a plan in place to have fun responsibly beforehand can literally save lives. Here are some steps to consider:

• Utilize Public Transportation – in larger cities like Philadelphia, public transportation runs to many locations throughout the night and well into the morning. Taking the train or a bus can provide a cheap method of transportation and eliminates the need for a car.
• Bring Cash, Leave Your Cards at Home – don’t want to drink too much? Bring only a small amount of cash, and leave your credit cards at home. That way, you know the maximum amount of alcohol you can buy is limited to a couple drinks at the most.
• Once You Drink, Never Drive – if you choose to drink, give up your keys. Impairment from alcohol begins at the first drink.

Even the most responsible decision making can’t fully protect you from the careless actions of other drivers. If you’re hurt in an accident involving a drunk driver, you have rights to compensation. Contact our law firm today to discuss your legal options privately and for free.