In addition to being the start of the holiday season, Thanksgiving is also the beginning of the season when most car accidents due to drunk driving occur. Two to three times as many individuals die in alcohol-related car deaths between Thanksgiving and New Year's than at any other time of the year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts there will be record-breaking numbers of people on the road this Thanksgiving. If you are hosting friends and family in your home, be sure to have some alcohol-free drinks. If you will be driving to see loved ones, please follow these steps to prevent you and anyone else from driving under the influence.
1. Assign a designated driver who commits to not drinking before you head to the gathering.
2. Plan on using Uber, Lyft, a car service, or taxi to get to and from your destination.
3. Use public transportation for holiday travel.
4. Lower Your Blood Alcohol Level Before You Drive: Be sure to eat, hydrate, and wait at least an hour or two after you've had a drink or two so that your body can process the alcohol before you drive. However, keep in mind this is not a 100% guaranteed method to ensure your alcohol level is below the legal limit after you have had alcohol.
5. Pay special attention to traffic rules: Everyone is tired after a holiday celebration, even if they haven't been drinking much. Avoid distractions like texting and making cellphone calls when you're on the road. This, of course, is always good advice but especially important around the holidays.
If you are arrested for a DWI, seek professional help from a traffic attorney right away. Failure to get adequate legal representation after a DWI could lead to a suspended license or even jail time. If you live in Westchester County or New York City, contact top traffic attorney Eli Moore at EliMooreLaw@gmail.com. Learn more at EliMooreTrafficAttorney.com.