An increase in alcohol consumption and more people traveling causes New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day to be one of the most dangerous holidays for injuries, arrests, car accidents and potential lawsuits. Here are some tips to help keep us all safe this New Years.
As 2022 ends and 2023 is on the horizon full of new opportunities and hope, many of us will take to celebrating the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023. However, it is important to keep in mind to continue to stay safe while we celebrate. An increase in alcohol consumption and more people traveling causes New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day to be one of the most dangerous holidays for injuries, arrests, car accidents and potential lawsuits. Here are some tips to help keep us all safe this New Years.
Did you know, according to the American Safety Council, that nearly 50% (fifty percent) of all car accidents that occur on New Years Eve and New Year’s Day are caused by high blood alcohol concentration? Did you know that New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are also the most hazardous day for Pedestrians? Pedestrian collisions are also usually caused by high blood alcohol concentration involving either drivers under the influence, pedestrians under the influence, or a combination of both.
If you are celebrating New Years Eve away from home or may be traveling on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, here are some tips to help keep you and your family and loved ones safe:
- Plan your travel options ahead of time. Make sure you have a designated driver or have planned to utilize a taxicab service, or ride share service like Uber or Lyft. Many ride share services will offer coupon discount codes during New Years Eve, and some more metropolitan areas may even partner with a taxi cab or ride share service and offer free rides. Make sure you check with your local city or community.
- Consider local Sober Ride programs and have their information handy for yourself or friends. http://duijusticelink.aaa.com/for-the-public/aaas-role/public-education/sober-ride
- org provides a desktop and mobile site with options for how to get home safely. http://www.soberrides.org
- Have a “Plan B”. Many of us have had the best laid plans and then nothing goes according to plan. Maybe your designated driver decided to partake in the New Year’s Eve cocktails and is no longer a safe option. Maybe your date or partner enjoyed the cocktails a little too much, and you need to leave the celebration early. Many different things can happen that could leave you stranded or possibly making a poor choice. Make sure you have extra money on hand for a cab, or already have your preferred ride share app downloaded, working with the correct payment option available.
- Use a taxicab or ride share service to and from your celebration so you can avoid leaving your vehicle in a strange place or be tempted to drive home.
- If you must leave your vehicle, make sure you leave it in a well-lit area with all the doors locked and any valuables removed or secured out of sight.
- Do not make yourself an easy target for criminal activity. Do not bring any unnecessary items or valuables with you when you go out to celebrate. Avoid bringing large amounts of cash or wearing flashy jewelry.
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Pedestrian Safety
- Again, do not make yourself an easy target for criminal activity. Make sure you stay with friends and are not walking or traveling alone.
- Make sure you stay on pedestrian paths, such as sidewalks.
- Walk in well-lit areas
- Only cross the street, roads, or intersections where crosswalks are available.
- Observe traffic laws and regulations.
- Be extra cautious of motor vehicles, as the driver could be distracted or impaired.
- Do not walk impaired or under the influence. Not only does this make you an easy target for possible criminal activity, but you could also cause an injury to yourself or possibly even an arrest for Public Intoxication.
Following the safety tips discussed in this blog, whether you are the driver, passenger, or pedestrian, should improve the likelihood of you having a safe New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident or car wreck or injured in a pedestrian accident, contact us today for your free case evaluation.
