Drunk Driving and New Year’s Eve Accidents

The very phrase, “New Year’s Eve” prompts visions of champagne toasts at midnight, parties with spiked punch, and light-hearted complaints about hangovers on New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, the phrase is also associated with drunk driving accidents in which people die or are injured so severely their lives are never the same.

At Springer & Lyle, we recognize the danger posed by New Year’s Eve drunk driving. Between 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 6 a.m. New Year’s Day, there are 71 percent more drunk driving accidents than on an average day. January 1 has the highest percentage of alcohol related deaths than any other day of the year. We hope you do not become a statistic and offer some tips that will hopefully protect you from being involved in such an accident.

Suggestions for Avoiding a New Years’ Eve Drunk Driving Accident

• Do not drive yourself. If you are invited to a party where you expect to be drinking, take a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. Check with the companies beforehand. In some cities, Uber and Lyft offer free rides home on New Year’s Eve.
• Call “Tipsy Tow.” On New Year’s Eve in 2017 welcoming in 2018, the American Automobile Association (AAA) offered a “Tipsy Tow” plan to Texans on New Year’s Eve through the early morning hours of New Year’s Day for those who had too much to drink and who needed a ride home. It is expected to do the same this year. The service is free for up to 10 miles. There may be a charge if you need to go a greater distance. You do not need to be a AAA member to use this service.
• Rely on a designated driver. Just be sure the person you designate as the driver can be trusted not to drink.
• Stay the night. Many hosts are now offering places for their guests who have had too much to drink to sleep for the night. Better to spend the night than to become a statistic.

Keep in mind that no matter how careful you are, there will be irresponsible drunk drivers on the road. Unless you stay home, your chances for being injured in a drunk driving accident are increased on New Year’s Eve.

Please don’t drink and drive over the Holidays. And if you know of someone that is hurt by a drunk driver, let them know they can call Springer & Lyle at 940-387-0404 for a free consultation.

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