Holiday parties were back in full force in 2022 after a significant decline due to the pandemic, and 2023 appears to be a year filled with just as many festive gatherings and events. From Thanksgiving through the New Year, thousands of people will attend celebrations with family, friends, and colleagues. Unfortunately, some will never make it back home.
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) reports that someone is killed in a drunk driving crash every 39 minutes. On average, that’s 13,000 lost lives every year.
Deaths from drunk driving typically rise during the winter holidays, with December often the month with the most drunk driving tragedies. More than 4500 people were killed in drunk driving crashes during the month of December, for the years spanning 2017 through 2021. (NHTSA)
The rise of alcohol-related road deaths may be directly proportional to the increase in parties and other celebratory events of the holiday season. A recent survey found that the average American will attend five different holiday gatherings/parties this year. Three out of four (85 percent) surveyed stated they expect to be busier during this holiday season, especially those with plans to host others.
Even if you don’t have plans to attend a social gathering where there’s the opportunity to consume alcohol, be aware that others may make the choice to indulge, and even over-indulge. How can you protect yourself and your loved ones from drunk drivers? It begins by recognizing the signs of drunk driving and knowing when not to be on the road.
Signs of a Potential Drunk Driver
Various signs that may indicate a driver is impaired by alcohol or another substance may also be the same/similar to someone driving distracted, for example, someone texting and driving. However, the typical signs of a drunk driver include but are not limited to:
- Swerving, difficulty keeping the vehicle between the designated lines
- Drifting too close to/hugging the centerline or the shoulder
- Tailgating
- Driving under the speed limit plus excessive braking
- No use of turn signals and/or using the wrong signal for the turn (right signal when turning left)
- Not using headlights
- Driving the wrong way on a one-way street or entrance ramp
- Not stopping at a stop sign or light
- Stopping at an intersection when the driver has the right of way
The above are merely some of the most common ways a driver may act after drinking in excess. Unfortunately, it’s also common for individuals to not recognize their limits and the fact that they are, indeed, driving under the influence.
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Facts
In the United States, an individual’s blood alcohol content level (BAC) cannot exceed .08 percent. At this level, you are considered intoxicated. Please be aware, that states may have other limits in place as well regarding BAC, drivers, bicyclists, and even pedestrians. An individual also can be charged with an impaired or drunk driving offense even if their BAC doesn’t exceed the legal limit, but these circumstances will vary.
If driving alcohol-impaired, the penalties can be steep. These may include:
- A large monetary fine
- The suspension or revoking of the driver’s license
- Arrest and incarceration
Most Likely Times to Encounter Drunk Drivers
On average, the majority of drunk driving crashes that involve fatalities often occur between the hours of 6 PM through nearly 6 AM. However, within that time frame, it’s the late night to early morning hours (midnight to 3 AM) that see the most fatal accidents, and those numbers increase on weekends versus weekdays.
How to Report Drunk Driving and Safety Tips
If you’re on the road and see a vehicle being driven erratically, or you suspect the driver may be under the influence, report it to the authorities, but only if you’re not at immediate risk. You can call 911 to report a drunk driver and most states have a DUI-report number as well as a non-emergency number for these instances. You can do it anonymously if you prefer.
When your celebrations include alcohol, especially during this holiday season, we at Kustom Signals encourage you to be responsible and never drink and drive or be a passenger in a vehicle with an impaired driver.