DUI Rate Increases During the Holidays

Be Aware of Holiday DUI Statistics

The days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are the busiest and most dangerous times on the road. Holiday shoppers, travelers and revelers fill the streets, and so does police presence. So, even though this is a celebratory time of year, it is also a time when you are most likely to get caught driving dangerously.

Police presence is higher during the holidays because the risk of accident goes up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that on a normal day during the year, traffic fatalities average about 36 per day. During the Christmas season, that goes up to 45 and during New Years it jumps to 54. With an increasing number of drivers and police on the roads, it is more important than ever to drive sober.

Safety Tip: Keep in mind that the blood alcohol limit in Georgia is strict, and even with a buzz, you could end up with a DUI. Keep yourself out of trouble, and more importantly, keep you and others safe by getting/hiring a ride this holiday season.

This year, Georgia state troopers are keeping a close eye out for those who are driving distracted, especially while using your phone. Texting, reading texts, and using social media on the road are causing an increasing number traffic crashes, especially among young drivers. The NHTSA says that 10% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers were caused by distracted driving.

Safety Tip: If there are young drivers in your family, create a family pledge for everyone to sign this season. Discuss family guidelines for how you will handle your phone in your car as both a passenger and a driver, such as promising to keep your phone face down or requesting that the driver give the phone to a passenger while driving.

The most important thing is the safety of you and your family this holiday season. But, if you need a lawyer to assist you in a traffic-related arrest, we at Schiavone Law are here to help defend you in court.