Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
More and more people are choosing to drive drunk over the holiday season. December’s drunk driving deaths are the greatest in over 15 years, according to NHTSA data.
The most recent data year available, December 2021, showed 1,013 fatalities from drunk driving-related road crashes, the highest number since 2007. Over 4,500 people lost their lives in drunk driving-related traffic collisions in December between 2017 and 2021, according to data from the NHTSA. The tragedy of these losses is felt all year, but for many, it is intensified over the holidays.
All 50 states prohibit drug-impaired driving, just like they do drunk driving. During the years 2019–2021, the NHTSA investigated drivers who suffered life-threatening injuries or lost their lives at various trauma centers and medical examiner offices. According to the study, almost 25% of drivers at trauma clinics had detectable levels of THC, or marijuana’s active ingredient, in their bodies.
From now until Jan. 1 police are ramping up their efforts to keep impaired drivers off the roads. 204 people have died in 4,494 alcohol-impaired driving crashes in the past year in Florida, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Here are a few tips to make sure you and your friends and family get home safely this NYE:
- Plan for a sober ride home, and assign someone to be your point of accountability if necessary.
- If you choose to drink, do not drive while intoxicated. To get home safely, call a sober friend, use a taxi or rideshare service, or use public transportation. In some areas in Florida, AAA’s Tow 2 Go service will drop you and your car off within a 10-mile radius for free. (855) 2-TOW-2-GO is the number to call. The Tow-To-Go service is available through Tuesday, January 2.
- If you are hosting and notice someone about to drive drunk, take their keys and help them get home safely or provide them with food, water, and a place to sleep so they can sober up.
We Can Help
A DUI accident case can be complicated and time-consuming to resolve. A lawyer can assist you in obtaining crucial evidence against a drunk or drug-impaired motorist, such as chemical test results and police camera footage. After that, a lawyer can help you file a claim with the insurance provider of the impaired motorist to seek fair compensation for all losses.
If you have been injured in a drunk or drug-impaired driving accident or lost a family member, contact our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton right away to discuss your legal options. We have handled cases involving all kinds of auto accidents, including those involving impaired drivers over the holidays. You can call us anytime at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation.
We urge you to celebrate responsibly this NYE. Happy 2024!