We all want some good news to inspire more gratitude this Thanksgiving weekend. But the 2016 statistics for drunk-driving deaths are in, and the news is grim — drunk drivers were the number one killer, chalking up 10,497 fatalities according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. (www.nhtsa.gov)
This does not include the bloodshed, pain, tears, and lives forever changed due to drunk-driving injuries. Those stories often go untold. The truth is this: drinking and driving just don’t mix!
The AAA predicts that 2017 will be the busiest Thanksgiving travel season since 2005. Busier highways and more congestion equals more travel risk, right?
While you cannot control the other drivers on the road, here’s how to reduce your own risk:
1.) Gonna kick back and enjoy that beer, Grandpa’s “secret recipe”, or a glass of fine wine? You know the drill. Don’t leave home without a designated driver. If you get stopped while your blood alcohol content is over the legal limit in Missouri (.04 BAC), you’re facing a license suspension or much, much worse!
Consider the holiday mood of the police officer and the judge! They’ve seen too many alcohol-related deaths and injuries. Their view of you is likely to be very dim — don’t expect leniency! After all, the 2016 drunk driving statistics are grim.
2.) Sadly, the next highest 2016 NHTSA fatality statistic is due to not wearing seatbelts. Please BUCKLE up for highway safety.
Seatbelts are one of your lines of car accident defense. You can count on sharing the road with people driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both!
Be sure to spy on your kids while traveling. They have a way of sneaking out of seat-belts when you least expect it.
3.) Allow extra travel time.
According to the 2017 AAA holiday travel predictions, getting places around congested cities could easily take THREE times as long as normal.
That lovely half hour trip across St. Louis to visit your in-laws? Think about highway congestion and weigh your options. What are the normal hotspots for traffic back-ups? Having an alternate travel plan could be safer and healthier for your blood pressure.
Not cooking dinner, but want to enjoy a wonderful place to share a delicious Thanksgiving meal? There’s sure to be a nearby place to please you and avoid some of that traffic! St. Louis has much to offer: https://explorestlouis.com/12-places-thanksgiving-dinner-st-louis-2017
4.) Have a roadside assistance plan in place.
If you have any sort of auto-related accident, you’ll be happy you had your roadside assistance current and up-to-date. Adding their number to your contacts in your cell-phone is one great way to make sure you don’t leave home without it!
5.) Avoid drunk drivers by not driving late at night.
The National Safety Council’s research shows that the risk of a fatal crash is three times greater at night, and that 50% of traffic fatalities occur after dark! Add late night gatherings with family and friends to this mix. Alcohol and fatigue are a deadly driving combination.
If you are involved in a car accident over the holiday weekend, don’t wait to call your car accident lawyer.
http://steimel-law.com/traffic-matters.html
For an experienced traffic accident attorney serving the greater St. Louis area, call The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC at 636-244-3737. HINT: put this number in your contacts’ list, too. Better safe than sorry!
Attorney Steimel will give you a FREE initial consultaton. Now that’s something to be grateful for!
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