CHICAGO, IL – As 2021 comes to a close, that means New Year’s festivities are almost here. While the end of the year brings excitement and joy, it also comes with catastrophic dangers unlike any other day.
New Year’s Accident Statistics
Holidays give us a reason to celebrate and cheer, yet statistics have shown it’s also prone to being the most dangerous time of year. To no surprise, roadways are more congested and more alcohol is typically consumed this time of year. In fact, nearly 45 percent of the population admits to binge drinking on New Years Eve.
New Year’s Day poses a 95 percent increase in car accidents. To give you a better understanding of how dangerous traveling around this holiday can be, here are a few statistics:
- During Christmas and New Year’s last year, there were 285 drunk driving-related traffic deaths in the United States.
According to the National Safety Council, 36% of traffic fatalities in 2019 during the New Year holiday period involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
The average blood alcohol content level on New Years Eve is 0.09%.
Plan Ahead
If you plan on drinking for the holiday this year, create a plan ahead of time. Make arrangements to Uber home or call a cab to get you to your final destination that night.
While fares may be higher for public ride services like Lyft or Uber, it’s much cheaper than what a DUI would cost. If you live in the Chicago area, CTA is allowing free rides from 10:00 PM to 4:00 on New Years Eve.
Do not drink and drive and put the lives of others or yourself at danger over one night of drinking.
Designate a Sober Driver
Do not put the lives of others or yourself at-risk for one night of drinking and fun. Designate someone beforehand to be your sober driver for the night or make alternative plans for you to get home safely.
Stay Safe
The National Highway and Safety Administration’s says safe driving begins with responsible choices, including:
- Plan and depart for your New Year’s celebration as early as you can.
- Drive the speed limit, even if you are behind schedule.
- Designate a designated driver ahead of time or use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
- Use your defensive driving skills and anticipate potential driving challenges like weather, road conditions, and large animals.
- Watch out for other impaired drivers. If you see a driver you think is under the influence, call 911 or contact your local police dispatch right away.
Have Fun
While New Year’s Eve is a night for celebrating and ringing in the New Year, it’s important to remember to be safe above all else. The team at the Dinizulu Law Group would like to wish you a safe and happy New Year.
