Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to visit relatives, host a cookout, or hit the town with friends. Even if your plans do not involve alcohol, bear in mind that drunk driving rates tend to spike over the long holiday.
Memorial Day weekend is one of the top-three holiday periods in terms of drunk driving fatalities, and in 2010, more than 390 people died in car accidents over the long break. Alcohol contributed to approximately 40 percent of those deaths.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of being injured in a drunk driving accident. The following three strategies are particularly effective:
- Keep your distance from drivers who appear to be intoxicated;
- Download a rideshare app or use a taxi; and
- Monitor your alcohol consumption.
If the worst happens and you or a loved one sustains an injury in a collision with a drunk driver, contact Ballard Law, PLLC. Attorney William E. Ballard will investigate your crash, interview witnesses, calculate your damages, and help you fight for the maximum payout. Call 769-572-5111 to arrange a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Jackson.
Let’s take a closer look at three tips that could save your life over Memorial Day weekend:
- Keep Your Distance from Drivers Who Appear to Be Intoxicated
If you drive regularly, it is almost inevitable that you will eventually share the road with a drunk driver. According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.2 percent of adults in Mississippi admitted that they had driven after consuming too much alcohol in the 30 days prior to the study. You should expect the drunk driving rate to increase substantially over the long weekend.
You can reduce your risk of getting in an alcohol-related accident by keeping your distance from motorists who show one or more of the following signs of intoxication:
- Drifting onto the shoulder;
- Swerving;
- Almost hitting the curb or another object in the road;
- Stopping well before or after a stop line;
- Forgetting to use the turn signal;
- Driving without the headlights turned on at night; or
- Showing abnormal acceleration or braking patterns.
- Download a Rideshare App or Use a Taxi
Before the festivities begin, download Uber and set up your account. Alternatively, you can call one of the following local taxi companies in Jackson:
- Jackson Taxi: 601-292-1100
- Deluxe Cab Co: 601-948-4761
- Jackson Taxi Cab: 601-228-2960
- Monitor Your Alcohol Consumption
Even if you have transportation arrangements, it is always important to monitor your alcohol consumption. If you intend to drive but you insist on having a couple drinks, make sure you know your limit and consume plenty of water. Bear in mind, though, that several factors will affect your BAC, so if you intend to drive, it is best that you abstain from alcohol.
Although these three tips can reduce your risk of getting in a drunk driving accident, all it takes is one negligent motorist to cause a tragedy. If you are injured by an intoxicated driver over Memorial Day weekend, turn to Ballard Law, PLLC.
William E. Ballard will help you navigate the claims process and avoid costly mistakes such as overlooking future damages or accepting a settlement too early. Call 769-572-5111 today to schedule a free consultation with a car wreck attorney in Jackson.
