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Holiday Roadways & Increased Dangers Of DUI

Posted by: at 1:53 PM on December 13th, 2017

The holidays bring with them a mood of merriment and leisure, as we begin to wind down and collect ourselves from a hectic year. Loved ones rejoin their families, eggnog and other libations flow freely, airports and highways seem to bust at the seams with swells of determined travelers. However, there are at least a few unfortunate side effects that occur when we combine these factors. The uptick in parties and festivities, accompanied by the increase in air and ground traffic, mean that our roadways become considerably more dangerous this time of year. 

Although the hazard of drinking and driving is prevalent on many other holidays (St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day), the relative concentration of holidays makes for a particularly dangerous stretch, beginning Thanksgiving weekend and ending New Years Day. This state of affairs often puts law enforcement on edge, with local news outlets around the country usually reporting that DUI patrols in their area are set to increase over the holiday season.

Holiday Drunk Driving Trends
Between the droves of students returning home and reuniting with friends, to those who can’t be with family for the holiday, there are a bevy of reasons why Americans flock to bars over the holidays. From Thanksgiving until after New Year's Eve, this trend of increased DUI risk continues, with a slight lull around Christmas day. The risk spikes again on New Year’s Eve, as revelers join one another at parties to toast the ball drop. Studies indicate more than 42% of accidents on New Year’s were alcohol-related. 

Avoid Getting Charged With DUI This Christmas Season

Every year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration runs an urgent safety campaign to spread the message Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Deterring drunk driving is the chief goal of this campaign, and the NHTSA fervently warns drivers of the cost of drunken driving, writing “Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time…. [and] upwards of $10,000 in fines and legal fees.