The winter holidays are here, and it is a time to celebrate peace, family and another year gone by. People will attend many parties and festivities at this time of year, but some will overindulge on these occasions and become intoxicated.
The situation is made worse when an inebriated person decides to drive home. Drunk drivers pose a danger to all on the road, and sadly, many fatal drunk driving crashes take place on holidays.
Some states are safer than others
Some states see more drunk drivers than others. According to a study of all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the three states with the highest rate of drivers operating under the influence include:
- Montana
- Wyoming
- Texas
The states with the lowest rate of drivers operating under the influence include:
- The District of Columbia
- New Jersey
- Utah
Maryland was within the top 10 states with the lowest number of drivers operating under the influence.
Stopping drunk drivers
Many people who are traveling by car over the holidays are worried about being struck by a drunk driver. This is a legitimate concern, but there are some ways you can stop a person you know from driving if they have had too much to drink.
You can take away a person’s car keys. You can call them a taxi or ride-sharing service. You can offer to drive them home yourself. You can ensure they arrive and leave with a designated driver.
If you are on the road, and you spot a motorist you believe is inebriated, you can do something about it. You can call the police. Make sure you can give the police details about the driver’s vehicle, license plate, where you are and what direction the driver is headed.
Drunk drivers are a danger this time of year. While we can try to prevent drunk driving, it likely cannot be eliminated completely. If you are in a car accident caused by a drunk driver this holiday season, you will want to explore your options for compensation.