Rhode Island DUI Accidents During The Holidays

Although traffic-related fatalities have decreased in Rhode Island over the past five years, impaired driving traffic fatalities still account for one-third of the deaths on Rhode Island roads each year. With the upcoming holiday season, many people are concerned about a potential increase in DUI accidents throughout the country. While we hope the deaths on Rhode Island roads continue to decrease, it is important to know the facts about DUI accidents during the holidays.

We also want anyone injured in a traffic accident during the holidays to know that our Rhode Island car accident attorneys are working hard throughout the holiday season to protect the rights of accident victims and their families.

Don’t hesitate to contact our office by calling 401-552-5000 to schedule a free consultation if you need us during the holiday season.

Startling Holiday Drunk Driving Statistics

The Centers for Disease Control report that 9,967 people died during 2014 in alcohol-impaired traffic accidents in the United States. That same year, over one million people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. As the holiday season quickly approaches, the consumption of alcohol is likely to increase. With an increase in alcohol consumption, some sources believe DUI offenses also increase, beginning with Blackout Wednesday.

Blackout Wednesday is the name given to Thanksgiving Eve because of the number of people binge drinking on this day. An article published by Bloomberg, Blackout Wednesday is “the day of the year with the highest levels of alcohol consumption.” One reason for higher levels of binge drinking on Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day may be that college students are home for the holidays and many people know they do not need to get up the next morning to go to work. Therefore, people begin celebrating the holiday season a day early.

Consider these holiday DUI statistics:

• During the holidays, two to three times more people die in alcohol-related crashes
• Forty percent of traffic-related deaths involve a drunk driver
• Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, it is estimated that 25,000 people will be injured and 1,200 people will die in alcohol-related traffic accidents
• DUI violations increase by 33 percent between Blackout Wednesday and January 2^nd
• Over half of people surveyed said they have seen people drive under the influence and 98 percent admitted to going to work hung over
• About 60 percent of people surveyed said they think alcohol makes a party more fun while 40 percent said family and friends use the holidays as a reason to drink
• In some places, Blackout Wednesday has become the most dangerous night for drunk driving

Protect Yourself And Your Family

It is impossible to control the decisions other people make regarding drinking and driving. However, you can take steps to protect yourself and your family during the holiday season.

• If you are drinking, designate a sober driver or arrange for alternate transportation
• Do not be on the roads on days when DUI incidents are expected to increase
• When encountering an impaired driver, put more distance between you and the driver, pull over to a safe location, and call 911 to report the driver
• If you serve alcohol at your holiday celebration, make arrangements for anyone who is unable to drive after consuming alcohol

Call A Rhode Island DUI Accident Attorney

If you are injured in a drunk driving accident, call Tapalian Law at 401-552-5000 to schedule a free consultation with our Rhode Island DUI accident attorney. You may also use our online contact form to ask a question or request an appointment. Our law firm represents clients in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

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