According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and studies by Esurance, the Fourth of July is the single-worst day of the year when it comes to fatal car accidents. To emphasize this, about 40 percent of all highway deaths that occurred between 2007 and 2011 stemmed from drunk driving taking place over this holiday.
The Fourth of July is a day when many people have off of work and it’s common to spend a day barbecuing with friends and family. These day-long celebrations tend to result in overconsumption and people getting drunk far earlier in the day than normal, which in turn leads to more drunk drivers on the roads. Plus, with people often traveling for their celebrations, this means more people will be driving longer distances than normal, sometimes while drunk.
Of course, there are plenty of other ways for people to hurt themselves on the Fourth of July, as burn and explosion accidents are common in hospitals around the country. But it is impaired driving that is far and away the biggest killer — and one which people and communities must do their best to confront and prevent.
Stay safe over the holiday
If you do plan to drink on July 4, it is critical to take the appropriate safety measures. The most important thing you can do is arrange for a ride. Have a sober driver or call for a taxi or Uber/Lyft, if you’ll be traveling anywhere at all. You can also use public transportation if it’s available.
Watch how much you consume. Overconsumption comes with health and safety risks beyond drunk driving, especially when the temperature is hot. Always handle fireworks carefully, and never if you have consumed alcohol. Fireworks are actually illegal in many areas of the state, so be certain to abide by local ordinances.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, consult a dedicated Bradenton personal injury attorney with Goldman Babboni Fernandez & Walsh.