The holidays are nearly here, and what better reason to gather with friends and family than to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, and a New Year?
With the holidays come holiday parties, and with holiday parties often comes cocktails. Everyone knows that driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal in Colorado, but with the increased number of drivers on the road, and the slick winter road conditions, it can a be dangerous and often deadly combination.
In 2011, more than 1,300 DUI arrests were made in Colorado during the holiday season, with the number of DUI arrests increasing by 112% on New Year’s Eve. The number of drunk driving fatalities in Colorado alone increased in 2011 to 161 deaths. The number of drunk driving fatalities also increased nationally in 2012, totaling 10,322 deaths and approximately 345,000 injuries. Given these devastating statistics, Colorado has initiated a No DUI program, aimed at decreasing the number of drunk drivers – and drunk driving fatalities – across the state.
This holiday season, we are urging our friends and family to be safe when driving, especially on Christmas and New Year’s, which top the list of most dangerous days to drive. When celebrating this season, remember to plan ahead. If you decide to drink alcohol, be sure to have alternative transportation plans to get yourself home.
Designate a sober driver before beginning the night’s festivities, bring cash for a taxi, or schedule a ride with a local car service. If you’ve decided to not drink so that you can safely provide rides for your friends and family, be extra cautious of other drivers on the road. Drunk drivers tend to swerve and not stay in their designated lanes. When driving during the holidays this year, be sure to maintain a safe distance between yourself and the other vehicles on the road, and pass other vehicles with caution, just in case they spontaneously swerve into your lane.
More importantly, take the extra step and help spread the word about safe and sober driving this year, by promoting the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) campaign Tie One On For Safety. Be safe, drive sober, and don’t become a statistic.
If your or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a drunk driver, call the experienced Denver personal injury attorneys at the Bendinelli Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation today. We’ll help you get the help you need.
