Drunk Driving Increases Over Thanksgiving Weekend

Drunk Driving Increases Over Thanksgiving Weekend

By Pyle Law, Reviewed by E. Thomas Pyle November 19 2019 5:07 pm

Drunk driving is an issue inherent across the United States. It is a health and social matter that deserves a keen awareness, especially around the holidays. Thanksgiving is a time to be with friends and family and to enjoy their company. Many Americans involve alcohol in their celebrations, but when the libations mix with car keys, innocent lives are at risk. A compassionate Kansas personal injury attorney is available to help those who are injured or who have loved ones injured in drunk driving accidents at Thanksgiving or any other time of year. 

The Surprising Statistics of Thanksgiving Drunk Driving

With more people traveling and more people drinking than any other time of year, it is no wonder that drunk driving increases during Thanksgiving weekend, causing victims to reach out to a Kansas personal injury lawyer. 

You are likely already aware that drunk driving happens at Thanksgiving, but you may not be aware of how severe of a problem it really is. Consider these statistics:

• Between 2012 to 2016, over 800 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving period—6 p.m. Wednesday to 5:59 a.m. Monday—making it the deadliest holiday on U.S. roads, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

• The night before Thanksgiving is usually the most popular night of the year for Americans to indulge in alcohol. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that this night is now the biggest night of the year for bars. With most people off of work the next day and friends and family around, the temptation is great. 
• Upserve reports that bar sales increase on Thanksgiving Eve as much as 270 percent on beer and 114 percent on hard liquor
• According to the NHTSA, 51 percent of drunk drivers say they drink more during the holidays than any other time of the year
• The most traveled holiday period of the year is Thanksgiving weekend, and DUI arrests are at their highest between Thanksgiving and the end of New Year’s weekend

Tips to Protect Against Drunk Driving Accidents

Even if law enforcement is out in full force cracking down drivers who choose to get behind the wheel after too much alcohol, you can still do your part to protect yourself and others from potential drunk drivers. Here are some tips:

• Be responsible and aware of your own alcohol intake. If you plan on drinking, call for a rideshare service or make arrangements in advance to catch a ride with a friend or family member. 
• If you are hosting a Thanksgiving gathering, be a responsible host. Have plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic beverage choices on-hand for your guests. Discourage over-indulgence and if it does occur, offer up a bed in your home for the night or call a taxi or rideshare for them.
• While driving, watch for signs of intoxication in other drivers. Drunk driving behavior often involves weaving in and out of lanes, slow spastic movements, or driving under the speed limit. If you believe someone is driving while drunk, do your best to make a note of their plate number and call the local law enforcement agency. 

Help from a Personal Injury Lawyer in Kansas

There is no excuse for drunk driving at Thanksgiving or any other time of the year. We are here to help if you have been the victim of someone else’s poor decisions with alcohol and driving. If you or someone you love needs a personal injury attorney in Kansas after a drunk driving accident, call Pyle Law today at (888) 381-1155 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your consultation.