The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently publicizing their 2014 Holiday Season Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. It’s no secret that the holiday season is usually a pretty dangerous time to be on the roads in Texas and across the U.S. In addition to everyday commuters, seasonal travelers are taking to the highways and interstate roadways. On top of everything, more people are celebrating with alcohol this season, from Thanksgiving and Christmas to New Year’s Eve.
Holiday Crash Facts
- In 2012, during the holiday period (December 12-31) 1,698 people were killed in crashes across the U.S.
- Nearly a third of those fatalities were due to drunk-driving crashes.
- On Christmas Day alone, 26 people were killed by drunk drivers in 2012.
- From 2008-2012, a total of 3,994 people were killed in crashes with impaired drivers in the months of December.
- In December of 2012, 830 people were killed in drunk driving crashes across the country.
Holiday Driving Safety
First, the NHTSA wants motorist to know that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Even one drink can be one drink too many, so if you plan on celebrating with alcohol, find a safe ride home. Never get behind the wheel, it’s not worth even one lost life during the holidays or anytime of year. Drivers and passengers are also strongly encouraged to buckle up for every trip, no matter how short. Whether you’re traveling cross-country or across town, buckle up. It’s the single most effective way to protect yourself in a crash.
Police Officers Out in Full Force
State and local law enforcement agencies will be out in full force this holiday season in efforts to keep the roadways safe for travelers and commuters too. Law enforcement agencies are hoping that increasing patrols and national high-visibility campaign materials will help to reduce the potential number of injury-causing and fatal drunk driving crashes this holiday season.
After an Accident
If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving accident this holiday season, contact a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible to get the ball rolling on your case. You should be enjoying the holidays with your family, not worrying about how the medical bills are going to get paid. Let your attorney handle the details. The team at the Altman Legal Group wishes everybody a safe and happy holiday season.