The holidays are a time for gratitude and to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. That often means, for better or worse, drinking will be on the rise. And where there is limited public transportation like here in Orange County, DUI arrests and accidents will no doubt increase.
As we inch closer to the start of a new calendar year, state and local law enforcement will begin to ratchet up the emphasis on DUI patrol and enforcement. For many years, law enforcement has allocated extra resources to patrolling the streets and highways in an attempt to crack down on holiday drunk driving. This year will be no different.
Obviously, increased pressures and stress are often placed on many people during the holiday season. A drink or two to relax may ease holiday stress, but the chances of getting arrested for a DUI should give you pause.
More DUI arrests occur during the holidays than at any other time of the year. According to recent data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC):
- In 2015, 10,265 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (29%) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States
- Nearly 1.1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in 2015
- Drugs other than alcohol (legal and illegal) are involved in about 16% of motor vehicle crashes
Drinking and driving is a serious, potentially fatal decision, so plan ahead and assign a designated driver. Take full advantage of ride share services like Uber and Lyft, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. This is the most responsible thing you can do – especially during the holidays. Keep yourself and your family safe so you can all get together for the next one!
If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver or lost family members in a drunk driving accident, our expert OC car accident attorneys can help. Drunk driving accident cases are particularly complex, often involving extensive medical costs, punitive and exemplary damages. Our personal injury attorneys at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie have won hundreds of millions in verdicts and settlements over the past 40 years for our clients. We offer a free consultation, so call us at 949-752-7474 to schedule your free consultation today.