According to WalletHub – which compiled data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and other sources – more than half of all Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. For many, this means consuming alcohol. St. Patrick’s Day is reportedly the fourth most popular “drinking holiday,” and worldwide Guinness sells approximately 13 million pints of beer to revelers every year.
Unfortunately, as you might expect, this also leads to an increase in alcohol-related car accidents. According to WalletHub’s compiled data, 75 percent of fatal car accidents on St. Patrick’s Day involve drunk drivers (compared to the 31 percent annual average), and there is an alcohol-related accident every 74 minutes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period.
So, if you need to be on the road this St. Patrick’s Day – which is Friday, March 17, 2017 – what can you do to limit your risk of being injured in an accident?
Five Tips for Driver and Passenger Safety on St. Patrick’s Day
Here are five tips from the injury attorneys and legal professionals at Brian D. Guralnick Injury Lawyers:
1. Know the Telltale Signs of Drunk Driving.
As a driver or passenger, it is important to know the telltale signs of a drunk driver. If you see a car doing any of the following, there is a good chance that the driver is intoxicated behind the wheel:
- Braking suddenly
- Changing speeds erratically
- Following too closely
- Running onto the shoulder
- Weaving from one side of the lane to another
2. When in Doubt, Exercise Caution.
If you approach or are approached by what appears to potentially be a drunk driver, give him or her a wide berth. While letting a drunk driver pass may slow you down, any delay or inconvenience will be far outweighed by the consequences of being injured in a drunk driving accident.
3. Avoid Rubbernecking in Traffic.
If you come across another St. Patrick’s Day accident, proceed with caution, but avoid rubbernecking in traffic. Other drivers may be onlooking, too, and this means that their eyes will not be on the road ahead.
4. Buckle Up.
Under the Safety Belt Law, all drivers are required to wear a seatbelt, as are all front seat passengers. Studies have shown that seat belts save lives, and there is almost no excuse not to wear one.
Read more: Florida seat belt law exemptions
5. Make Sure You Have a Designated Driver.
Finally, if you plan on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day 2017 with a Guinness, make sure you have a designated driver. Go out partying with a friend, or make sure you have a taxi service number (or Uber or Lyft) available on your phone.
Were you or a loved one injured in an accident?
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Injured in an Accident? for a Free Consultation
At Brian D. Guralnick Injury Lawyers, we look forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day 2017 responsibly. We wish you and yours a safe holiday; and, if you or someone you love gets injured in a St. Patrick’s Day car accident, so that we can help you Demand More® for your losses. For a free consultation and the V.I.P. attention you deserve, call at 561-202-6673.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not intended, and must not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. If you need advice on specific legal issues, please consult with a licensed Personal Injury attorney.
