Holiday Drinking and Driving Statistics
Statistics show that alcohol-related car accidents increase around the holidays, leading to increased chances of accident-related injuries and deaths on the roads. According to Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the likelihood of deaths from highway car accidents increases from 31% to 40% at Thanksgiving, 37 % on Christmas, 58% at New Year’s, and a total of 40% for the entire winter holiday season. Last year during the winter holiday season, 945 people died in alcohol related crashes nationwide. Statistics from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction predict that two to three times more people die and 25,000 people will sustain injuries from drunk driving accidents during the winter holiday season. If a drunk driver hits you this holiday season, you need the support of a personal injury attorney. The attorneys at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC know the amount of pain and stress drunk driving accidents cause and are dedicated to helping you with your personal injury case.
This increase in drunk driving automobile accidents is a result from increased alcohol intake during the holiday season. There are several reasons why more people drink during this time of year:
Attendance at holiday parties where alcohol is served,
Some people who drink during the holidays rarely drink at other times. This causes a low tolerance to alcohol. Therefore, an inebriated driver may have a low blood alcohol level but exhibit a high level of intoxication,
Problem drinkers drink and drive more during the holidays,
Drinking to deal with holiday related stress.
In addition, holiday road travelers rushing to get places and winter driving conditions make driving under the influence even more dangerous. With more people traveling on roads during the holidays, more lives are at risk during this time.
The Costs and Risks of Drunk Driving
Drunk driving comes with a large societal cost. Not only does injury and loss of life cause physical and emotional pain as well as grief, the financial cost to society is staggering. The total estimated cost in 2000 was $114.3 billion dollars with $51.1 billion dollars in monetary costs and $63.2 billion in costs related to a loss of quality of life. Georgia reduced drunken driving incidents with prominent law enforcement and ignition interlocks for people with multiple DUI convictions. However,drunk driving still remains an issue. In 2012, there were 295 documented deaths caused by drunk driving accidents in Georgia. This number increased to 297 in 2013. These deaths accounted for 25% of all traffic accident-related deaths in Georgia in 2012 and 2013.
Contact Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC
Injuries resulting from a drunk driving accident can cause stress, physical and emotional pain, along with high medical bills and insurance costs. If you or a loved one was involved in an alcohol related car accident, you need the help and support of a personal injury attorney. Contact an experienced Atlanta metro area attorney at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC who can help you with your case. Call us today for your free consultation.